Sega Gives Bernie $5 Million

GameSpot News has learned that as part of Bernie Stolar's departure from Sega of America, he was given a severance package worth US$5 million. According to sources outside Sega, Bernie knew of the money settlement for quite some time and had no fear of being removed from his position.

Those same sources indicate that in the past few months Sega of Japan had increased the amount of pressure on Stolar. In fact, several former Sega of Japan employees - such as Toshiro Kezuka, the now COO who replaced Stolar - were moved to the US side in order to keep a strict watch over him.

In an interview with GameSpot News on Thursday, Sega senior vice president of marketing Peter Moore mentioned that Kezuka was Sega of America's main contact with its Japanese parent. An interesting piece of information considering that he replaced Stolar - a decision that more than likely came from Sega of Japan.