Editor’s note: This article was updated on March 16 to include comment from the attorney for plaintiff Sharon O’Donnell.
Riot Games has requested a status conference for a case filed against the company by former employee Sharon O’Donnell for alleged “witness tampering, harassment, and threatening behavior,” in Janurary by O’Donnell, according to new documents obtained by Daily Esports.
O’Donnell has been in the spotlight for the last few months following her complaint against Riot Games’ CEO Nicolo Laurent, which detailed several allegations of sexual harassment. Following an investigation by a special committee, Laurent was found not guilty and has retained his position within the company, Riot announced Tuesday.
The status conference document, which was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California on Jan. 7, is a request for a conference with the judge of the filing; the plaintiff, O’Donnell; and Riot Games to discuss the recent actions of the plaintiff. The conference was set to take place March 7, followed by a Conway Declaration on March 17 which is used to to declare supporting information and witness documentation.
In the request, Riot claims O’Donnell “offered an individual compensation for testifying on her behalf” and “encouraged others to file a lawsuit against Laurent … so they can personally benefit,” according to the document.
O’Donnell’s legal counsel, Michael F. Baltaxe, said that he was unaware of these claims. “None of what is said, in the paperwork filed by Riot Games and Nicolo Laurent this morning is true. We are filing our response with the court, tomorrow,” Baltaxe told Daily Esports.
In the document, Riot alleges O’Donnell could have provided private identifying information for Riot staff members to the press as well, while also allegedly encouraging individuals to threaten witnesses on her behalf.
“Defendants have legitimate concerns that Plaintiff’s actions, both known and unknown, are rising to the level of irreparable witness tampering and are affecting the ability of unrelated third parties to do their jobs and live their lives free of unwanted threats and harassment,” Riot said in the request.
Daily Esports reached out to O’Donnell for comment but she could not be reached by the time of publication. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
