Stardock responds to sexual harassment claims by former marketing manager against CEO
Stardock's former marketing manager Alexandra Miseta is now discussing publicly a 2010 lawsuit she filed against company CEO Brad Wardell for sexual harassment. Providing documents to Kotaku, Miseta's suit claims "repeated and near-daily comments, innuendos, advances, and other offensive conduct of a sexual nature" by Wardell.
The suit preceded a recent lawsuit by Stardock against Miseta for over $1 million in damages, alleging she destroyed marketing materials and stole company property just prior to Elemental: War of Magic's launch and her leaving the company.
"It is our opinion that Mr. Wardell's lawsuit against Ms. Miseta for allegedly deleting files, etc., is baseless and was brought solely in retaliation for her sexual harassment lawsuit. We firmly believe that Ms. Miseta's leaving Stardock had absolutely nothing to do with any failures pertaining to Stardock's release of Elemental. It is our further belief that Mr. Wardell has publicly admitted that the failures of Elemental were due solely to his actions and/or inactions," Miseta's attorney told Kotaku.
Miseta's sexual harassment lawsuit notes multiple incidents (Pg. 6-11). In a prepared statement sent to Joystiq, Stardock references one incident (Pg. 16 in Stardock's counter-filing) in which Wardell touched Miseta's hair during an after-hours company outing.
"It is unfortunate that feelings were hurt during this after-hours, non-work-related public dinner where several people were in attendance," the company stated. "This is a frivolous case against Brad Wardell that will be litigated in a court of law. That [Miseta] would choose to try to fight this in the court of public opinion versus the court of law only further demonstrates the frivolity of her case."
"However, there is no excuse for her malicious behavior when she quit without notice and used her privileged access to destroy valuable company intellectual property which contributed to the loss of millions of dollars and affected the livelihoods of Stardock employees."
The company statement continues, "Alexandra Miseta has been aware of the pending charges against her for the past two years. The claims against her were filed almost two years ago. They have recently been moved to federal court due to Stardock's discovery of a federal statute which directly addresses her unlawful actions. To suggest Stardock Corporation's actions are retaliatory to her personal case against Brad Wardell is absurd."
Read the full Stardock statement after the break.
Full Stardock statement:
It is unfortunate that feelings were hurt during this after-hours, non-work-related public dinner where several people were in attendance. This is a frivolous case against Brad Wardell that will be litigated in a court of law. That she would choose to try to fight this in the court of public opinion versus the court of law only further demonstrates the frivolity of her case.
However, there is no excuse for her malicious behavior when she quit without notice and used her privileged access to destroy valuable company intellectual property which contributed to the loss of millions of dollars and affected the livelihoods of Stardock employees. It is without question that Alexandra Miseta's intent to harm the company included her actions of stealing company property, destroying company material and rendering remaining materials unusable.
This behavior is unacceptable, against the law and should not be condoned. A court case is actively being pursued in a federal court by Stardock Corporation.
Alexandra Miseta has been aware of the pending charges against her for the past two years. The claims against her were filed almost two years ago. They have recently been moved to federal court due to Stardock's discovery of a federal statute which directly addresses her unlawful actions. To suggest Stardock Corporation's actions are retaliatory to her personal case against Brad Wardell is absurd.
- Stardock Corporation
