Analyst: Criminal Charges May Come in Grand Theft Auto Investigation
- June 27, 2006 11:42 AM PST
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Industry analyst Michael Pachter believes that the subpoenas issued to Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two Interactive could lead to a "potential criminal indictment."
We note that Grand Jury subpoenas are founded in criminal investigations....as such, we believe that it is likely that one or more Take Two employees may be subject to a potential criminal indictment."
--Michael Pachter to MCV
Pachter, with Wedbush Morgan, explains to MCV that "Grand Jury subpoenas are founded in criminal investigations" and that "it is likely that one or more Take Two employees may be subject to a potential criminal indictment."
Pachter notes that the subpoenas give little clue what any potential criminal charges might be, making it "impossible to speculate" on the nature of the investigation. But Pachter thinks that the subpoenas are a sign that the New York district attorney has "probable cause" for potential criminal charges.
On Monday, Take Two released a statement confirming that it had been issued a grand jury subpoena concerning the controversial sex mini-games hidden in 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The subpoenas request any documents related to whether Take-Two executives were aware of the "creation, inclusion and programming of hidden scenes (commonly referred to as "Hot Coffee") in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas."
