Riot Games COO suspended for workplace harassment

Riot Games’ Chief Operating Officer Scott Gelb has been placed on a two-month suspension without compensation after a comprehensive review substantiated claims of unprofessional conduct in workplace settings.

Gelb emerged as a polarizing presence within Riot Games during recent quarters. Multiple current and former staff members reported that the COO engaged in repeated instances of flatulence directed at colleagues, simulated sexual motions, and made improper physical contact with coworkers under the guise of humor.

An external legal consultancy initiated an independent examination earlier this year to assess these and additional claims of professional misconduct. Upon reviewing the investigation’s conclusions, Riot Games determined to suspend their COO for eight weeks without salary and mandate completion of specialized training before reinstatement.

The formal inquiry commenced after Kotaku published an extensive exposé detailing purported systemic sexism and gender-based discrimination within Riot’s corporate environment. Following this publication, numerous female employees—both current and former—came forward sharing personal accounts of workplace inequality and harassment experiences.

Riot eventually issued an official corporate statement expressing regret and committing to implement corrective measures against responsible parties.

“We acknowledge that no individual or position is exempt from accountability. Our organization stands ready to enact significant reforms and has already initiated disciplinary proceedings in specific instances, including termination of Riot staff members,” the company declaration stated.

Chief Executive Officer Nicolo Laurent distributed an internal communication to Riot personnel following Gelb’s disciplinary action. Laurent acknowledged that such conduct violated professional standards, yet simultaneously asserted that numerous accusations leveled against the COO lacked factual basis. The CEO concluded his message with expressions of solidarity for Gelb throughout the suspension interval and urged fellow Riot employees to adopt similar supportive stances.

“I intend to champion his cause, provide assistance during this transitional phase, and utilize his leadership capabilities upon reinstatement next year. I encourage you to participate in this supportive approach,” Laurent communicated.

Responses to the disciplinary announcement, particularly considering Laurent’s emphasis on backing Gelb despite substantiated allegations, generated predominantly divided reactions internally.

Riot Games currently confronts litigation initiated by one active and one previous employee. The complainants are pursuing legal action based on claims of discriminatory practices, workplace harassment, and breaches of California’s Equal Pay legislation.

This situation highlights critical considerations for gaming industry professionals about corporate accountability structures. When evaluating workplace culture, employees should assess whether companies implement transparent investigation processes and consistent enforcement of conduct standards across all organizational levels.

For those navigating similar corporate environments, understanding escalation protocols and documentation requirements becomes essential. The ongoing legal proceedings may establish important precedents for how technology and gaming companies address internal misconduct allegations moving forward.

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