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New York City sues Activision, targeting CEO Bobby Kotick

The suit alleges a rushed takeover deal Microsoft to escape liability

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Orchard327d ago

"New York City is demanding Activision provide a long list of documents, including material related to the Microsoft deal, info on five possible buyers cited in Activision’s official description of the sale talks, board memos and more."

I would be very interested in seeing the list of 5 interested parties.

Aside from that, I don't expect much to come of this. NYC doesn't hold authority to hold up acquisitions and this deal is going to sail through the federal government.

Sadly, I don't think Kotick will ever be punished for his behavior, so the best thing to do right now is just get him the hell out of the industry as a whole, even if that includes a one-time golden parachute.

Eonjay327d ago (Edited 327d ago )

The fact that we can't stop this one horrible person from getting off with a golden parachute is quite frankly embarassing. Make it feel like the gamers and the employees don't have a voice. It make it feel like if you are rich and have rich friends, you can get away with anything. He is laughing in our faces. Thats what it feels like.

Orchard327d ago

I agree 100% with you, but these people always seem to get let off the hook with it unfortunately. Being rich and powerful gives you protection I guess.

I'd rather see him held accountable, but I really doubt that'll happen. Hopefully he is gone from the industry after the acquisition and doesn't move onto another game company / start something new.

Cackocacho327d ago

"Make it feel like the gamers and the employees don't have a voice. It make it feel like if you are rich and have rich friends, you can get away with anything."

It doesn't "make it feel like". That's how things are, bud. It sucks, but it's just the truth of it.

Nineball2112326d ago

"It make it feel like if you are rich and have rich friends, you can get away with anything"

To a degree, you can. This has been proven throughout history.

Michiel1989326d ago

@Eonjay i dont think he is. Aside from the question if he will be taken to court or not, im pretty sure he is feeling the heat. It doesnt make much sense for actibliz who have gotten some record quarters in the last 2-3 years to sell. He's being associated with Epstein and the likes. No matter how much of a monster someone is, i dont think anyone wouldnt be affected by that.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 326d ago
Atom666327d ago

In just about every scenario, Kotick would eventually walk away with a fat wallet.

Sucks, but it's reality.

And yeah, this won't do much in regard to the acquisition.

SierraGuy327d ago ShowReplies(1)
isarai327d ago

......wut?

They are the government, they have the power to halt pretty much anything that happens in their city.

Orchard326d ago

They don't have the power to halt an acquisition... that is way above their paygrade and falls under the federal government, not a state or city government.

1Victor326d ago

@ Orchard read the article next time

“ Driving the news: The suit was filed in Delaware on April 26 by New York City Employees’ Retirement System and pension funds for the city’s teachers, police and firefighters. The groups own Activision stock and believe actions by the gaming giant's management hurt the company’s value.”

They own stocks on activision and can suit them to stop the merger IF their allegations are found true

S2Killinit326d ago

@that is not how it works. Not saying this will stop MS merger/aquisition but it certainly can.

Also, I’ve heard so much about Kotick being a jerk, but never heard what exactly he is accused of. What has he done exactly?

Lastly, you (and everyone else) should have more faith in our justice system. Believe it or not we have a very good system. As much as sometimes it does not seem like it, the foundations of our democracy IS the judiciary (the only non-partisan branch of our government).

Atom666326d ago

Grain of salt on the "non-partisan" part, but I get the sentiment.

Generally, Kotick is accused of having direct knowledge of the misconduct before allegations came to light, but chose to ignore it. Still think that's an Activision problem more than any one exec, though. More troublesome for him personally are the insider trading allegations imo.

This NYC matter is more about the former, but isn't a suit in the typical way we'd think of one. Think of it like seeking to compel discovery or enforce a subpoena. Shareholders are demanding to see internal docs.

I found it more curious that Activision was part of this group's investment portfolio. Kind of reminds us why Kotick stayed on so long. That clown made a lot of people good money for a long time.

Nineball2112326d ago

You really think the judiciary is non-partisan? That's the idea, but naw... it's partisan like everything else.

S2Killinit325d ago

I dont think its non-partisan. I know it is. Unless of course you are gauging their partisan tendencies in a vacuum. Otherwise, compared to the rest of the world, you have not seen what goes on in the kangeroo courts out there. We are lucky to have a functioning democracy and if we forget that, and forget to cherish, uphold, and defend it, then we are bound to lose it. Then, you will see what partisan judiciary really looks like.

peppeaccardo326d ago

This guy has the look of Andrew Cuomo, the appeal of Donald Trump and the work hetics of Rudolf Giuliani ... what else can you expect from this special kind of garbage ?

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 325d ago
XxINFERNUSxX327d ago ShowReplies(1)
sourOG327d ago

Nothingburger. Don’t get your hopes up NY is worthless.

S2Killinit326d ago

So much wisdom in this comment. Please teach us more about the world.

sourOG326d ago

One day you will all realize just how thoroughly unimpressive our elites are.

sourOG326d ago (Edited 326d ago )

Maybe not all of you Lmao. Most.

XiNatsuDragnel327d ago

Activision is just digging an even deeper hole

mastershredder327d ago

Um yep, this is pretty damning for him moving forward. Although indirect, his name and actions are splattered all over the inside of that doc. He is absolutely the main target. No one could have deserved something more. Congrats Bobby, you made it to the big time! (Scandals, Private and Corporate Lawsuits, Burnt Bridges; Oh My!).

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