Stardock lawsuits settled after employee apologizes

Stardock CEO Brad Wardell and a former employee have settled a pair of lawsuits, with the latter agreeing to write a formal letter of apology.

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The sexual harrassment lawsuit against Stardock CEO Brad Wardell has been settled. The former employee that originally brought the suit forward, Alexandra Miseta, has written a formal letter of apology to the studio, as part of the settlement.

Miseta claimed sexual harrassment in 2012, citing e-mail exchanges the requested Wardell "never touch my hair or any of my body parts, not even jokingly" and to "be careful with your 'jokes' which are at many times inappropriate, sexist, vulgar, and very embarrassing." Wardell had responded by replying, "I am an inappropriate, sexist, vulgar, and embarrassing person and I'm not inclined to change my behavior. If this is a problem, you will need to find another job."

Stardock responded by filing suit against Miseta, alleging that she "deleted, destroyed, and/or stole" marketing and analytics information regarding the failed Elemental: War of Magic. The suit was filed less than three weeks after a motion to dismiss the sexual harassment allegations was denied.

Wardell expressed relief to Kotaku and expressed a desire to move forward without monetary compensation. "Essentially, we agreed to dismiss each other's cases--to drop our cases--in exchange for her apologizing to us," Wardell said. "Once we've received that, we feel vindicated." Kotaku has posted a copy of the apology letter from Miseta.

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  • reply
    September 24, 2013 11:55 AM

    Ozzie Mejia posted a new article, Stardock lawsuits settled after employee apologizes.

    Stardock CEO Brad Wardell and a former employee have settled a pair of lawsuits, with the latter agreeing to write a formal letter of apology.

    • reply
      September 25, 2013 5:09 AM

      Hmmm. I'm hardly a feminist, but this doesn't sound right :(

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        September 25, 2013 12:09 PM

        Feels like she got bullied into a settlement. Who knows if that's what happened though.

        Obviously, the CEO did some things that were not appropriate, as evidenced by his email. And while I appreciate that he was willing to stand up for his individuality, he still sounds like a shit person.

        I believe that if even one thing she claimed he said or did in the summons was true, she had *every right* to be upset, uncomfortable, and uncompromising when he refused to try to amend the situation.

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          September 25, 2013 2:16 PM

          So you freely admit that you have no factual basis to prove that "she was bullied into a settlement," is that correct? Just checking.

          Furthermore, just because he posted an email back in the day defending himself about it hardly tells us IF he did do anything inappropriate or not in the specific situation.

          The truth probably lies somewhere in-between both accounts, as usual. Either way, I like the company and plan to continue buying its products.

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            September 25, 2013 4:27 PM

            I thought I made it pretty apparent throughout my post that I was giving an opinion. With the "if" and "who knows" and "feels like" and "sounds like"...

            I don't know where you get this attitude like I'm making assumptions and calling them facts.

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      September 25, 2013 5:54 AM

      Ugh, I wish Stardock had a different CEO because I really like them otherwise.

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      September 25, 2013 6:13 AM

      Looks like two wrongs does make a right, at least in the corporate world.

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      September 25, 2013 6:18 AM

      Ah, so after all the accusations and hate that went flying Stardock's way, the truth comes out. Figured there was more to this than how it appeared on the surface.

      Love Stardock and I fully support Brad. Looks like another case of some liberal political correctness taken to extremes. What else is new.

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        September 25, 2013 7:05 AM

        Oh man, I agree. I don't feel like Brad would ever say or do anything to create an uncomfortable working environment. He seems like a totally agreeable human being. But enough of my defence, I'll let the man speak for himself.

        "I am an inappropriate, sexist, vulgar, and embarrassing person and I'm not inclined to change my behavior. If this is a problem, you will need to find another job."

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          September 25, 2013 10:07 AM

          It's his company. Don't like it, work somewhere else. That's my take on it.

          Plus the very fact that she willingly agreed to submit an apology proves that her whole side of that debacle was a load of crap, anyway.

          Cry some more about it.

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            September 25, 2013 2:18 PM

            I don't mean that you, NickDelios, should cry some more about it. I'm referring to her. Curse the inability to edit posts here. :(

            I just find the whole situation extremely dicey and it's hard to know what the reality is, honestly. Even moreso now that she's offered an apology, too.

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              September 25, 2013 10:09 PM

              Sure, he can run his company into the ground they way he wants. I bet people are just lining up to work under the Stardock banner, with him and the helm.

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      September 25, 2013 6:38 PM

      What's crap about this stuff is that there is so much crying wolf. And then when something actually happens, like in the story, no one takes it seriously.
      Not saying what did or did not happen here, just that the general situation of sexual harassment in the West sucks.

    • reply
      September 25, 2013 11:19 PM

      Hyuk-yuk! Around here, we call it Starcock! Got a problem with that, missy?

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