Kenneth D. DeGiorgio, the chief executive of First American Financial Corporation, is facing a federal assault charge after allegedly choking a fellow passenger aboard a Virgin Voyages cruise ship over an incident involving his wife.
Federal authorities claim the altercation began early Monday when DeGiorgio’s wife, Nichol, approached a man dancing barefoot at the ship’s “On the Rocks” bar and asked him to put on shoes. The man allegedly responded with vulgar language and made an offensive gesture toward her, according to surveillance footage reviewed by investigators.
The 53-year-old executive allegedly grabbed the man by the neck and began choking him on the dance floor, causing him to stumble and fall. The victim told FBI agents that DeGiorgio threatened to kill him and that he felt as if his “throat was going to be ripped out,” according to the criminal complaint.
DeGiorgio, who has led the California-based mortgage lending and title insurance company since February 2022, was confined to his cabin until the Resilient Lady cruise ship arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where authorities took him into custody.
His legal team has issued a statement rejecting claims that DeGiorgio was the aggressor. “Mr. DeGiorgio responded to the actions of an individual who harassed his wife, making her feel threatened and intimidated,” a spokesperson for the executive’s legal team said in a statement to multiple news outlets.
In interviews with federal investigators, Nichol DeGiorgio acknowledged that she “should not have told the man to put shoes on” and confirmed that he had not made physical contact with her, according to affidavits.
The charge of assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States is classified as a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment. DeGiorgio has been released pending further legal proceedings.
First American Financial, which provides title insurance and settlement services, has not publicly commented on the situation involving its chief executive, who received $7.8 million in total compensation last year according to regulatory filings.
Prior to becoming CEO, DeGiorgio served as president of First American with oversight of the company’s title insurance, specialty insurance, and data analytics businesses. He joined the company in 1999 and has held various leadership positions throughout his tenure.
