It is a spectacular fall from grace for one of America’s most powerful health insurance executives - involving affairs, violent brawling, accusations of corrupt hiring practices and a private investigator.
Kenneth Melani has lost his job as Highmark's CEO after assault and trespassing charges were filed against him in relation to a fight he had with his girlfriend’s husband.
The high-flying businessman was fired from his $4million salary job today as a result of brawling with Mark Myler, the husband of Melissa Myler, who Melani had been having an affair with and had recently given a job to at Highmark.
According to a criminal complaint, Melani, 58, turned up uninvited at the Myler’s Pittsburg home and - ignoring ‘about 10’ requests from Mr Myler to leave - accused Mrs Myler of cheating on him and being with him for his money.
Melani, who is a married man, was friends with the couple for a few years before he hired Mrs Myler to work for him at Highmark.
Just three weeks after she started working at the company the pair embarked on their affair.
Things began to unravel in January when Melani’s wife, Tracy, found out about the illicit relationship and rushed to tell Mr Myler about it, according to the criminal complaint.
It was at this point that Mrs Myler moved out of her married home to move in with her lover and new employer.
But only months later and their new living situation soured when Mrs Myler discovered that Melani had hired a private investigator to find out more about her.
According to criminal statements, Mrs Myler then returned to her marital home to confide in her husband. Mr Myler alleges that Melani also threatened his wife and that she had consulted with lawyers about how to leave her job at the health insurance firm.
Melani then turned up at the Myler’s townhouse in Oakwood unannounced.
The verbal spat between the two men soon became physical and they starting fighting on the porch of the smart townhouse, although there are differing accounts as to who threw the first punch.
'It appears as though there was an argument and ensuing fight,' said a local police officer. 'As to who was the aggressor or who got the worst of it, we're just still now trying to figure out.'
Police said that Mr Myler, who suffered cuts to his face and legs, initially declined medical treatment but later agreed to it telling a police officer: 'It would be a good idea if he (Melani) was going to sue.'
Melani, who has been CEO of the $14.6billion company since 2003, was charged Wednesday with simple assault and defiant trespass and has a court hearing this week.
Police say that in a phone call to his lawyers, Melani said he would have killed the Mylers had police not shown up.
Meanwhile Mrs Myler has denied allegations of getting back with her husband and insists that she is sticking by Melani.
After an emergency meeting on Thursday night the Highmark board of directors put Melani on unpaid administrative leave and announced his firing today.
J. Robert Baum, Ph.D., was selected as acting CEO, in addition to maintaining his duties as Highmark’s chairman of the board.
'The board has reviewed this situation thoroughly and has taken decisive action to address the matter,' Baum said in a statement.
'For 75 years, Highmark has served this community with integrity and is committed to maintaining the highest standards. We have dedicated, hard-working employees and I know they take great pride in working for Highmark.
'Our mission of providing quality, affordable health care has never been more important, and I’m looking forward to working with our employees and senior management team in addressing the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2123713/Threes-crowd-Top-health-insurance-CEO-fired-4million-salary-job-fight-girlfriends-husband.html#ixzz1qpoFfZXp
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