Activision's CEO knew for years of workplace sexual harassment and rape allegations, and in at least one instance intervened to keep an accused harasser at the company, a new report says

• Activision CEO Bobby Kotick knew for years about claims of sexual harassment and rape at his company, the WSJ reports.
• In at least one case, Kotick is said to have intervened to keep a studio head who was accused of harassment.

Activision's longtime CEO Bobby Kotick reportedly knew for years about a variety of claims of sexual harassment and rape at his company.

A huge new investigation by the Wall Street Journal details several specific examples of harassment and rape at Activision. Kotick was not only aware of those claims but, in a least one instance, reportedly intervened to keep a male staffer who was accused of sexual harassment despite the company's human resources department recommending he be fired.

In one instance, a female employee at Activision subsidiary Sledgehammer Games (which works on the "Call of Duty" franchise) said she was raped twice by her male supervisor, in 2016 and in 2017. She reported this to the company's HR department, which she said took no action, before retaining a lawyer. Activision settled the case out of court, and Kotick didn't tell the company's board, according to the Journal.

In another instance, Dan Bunting, the head of the Activision-owned studio Treyarch, was accused of harassing a female employee, and Activision's HR department recommended that he be let go. Instead, Kotick stepped in, and Bunting was "given counseling and allowed to remain at the company," according to the report.

After Activision was asked about the incident by the Journal, Bunting left Treyarch.

In a statement, Activision disputed the Wall Street Journal's reporting:

"We are disappointed in the Wall Street Journal's report, which presents a misleading view of Activision Blizzard and our CEO. Instances of sexual misconduct that were brought to his attention were acted upon. The WSJ ignores important changes underway to make this the industry's most welcoming and inclusive workplace and it fails to account for the efforts of thousands of employees who work hard every day to live up to their – and our - values. The constant desire to be better has always set this company apart. Which is why, at Mr. Kotick's direction, we have made significant improvements, including a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate conduct. And it is why we are moving forward with unwavering focus, speed, and resources to continue increasing diversity across our company and industry and to ensure that every employee comes to work feeling valued, safe, respected, and inspired. We will not stop until we have the best workplace for our team."

In response to the report, an Activision employee group said it was staging a walkout and demanded that Kotick "be replaced as CEO."

Meanwhile, a statement from Activision's board of directors reaffirmed its commitment to Kotick.

"The Board remains confident that Bobby Kotick appropriately addressed workplace issues brought to his attention," the statement said. "The goals we have set for ourselves are both critical and ambitious. The Board remains confident in Bobby Kotick's leadership, commitment and ability to achieve these goals."

The new report comes after the State of California sued the company this summer over allegations that female Activision employees face "constant sexual harassment," from "having to continually fend off unwanted sexual comments" to "being groped." When employees report issues to human resources and management, the lawsuit claimed, no action is taken.

The suit — filed on July 20 to the Los Angeles Supreme Court — followed a two-year investigation conducted by California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing. It claims "Call of Duty" maker Activision fosters a "pervasive frat boy" culture where women are paid less for the same jobs that men perform, regularly face sexual harassment, and are targeted for reporting issues.

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