A CEO from California is facing serious legal trouble after an incident aboard a cruise ship. Kenneth DeGiorgio, the head of First American Financial Corp., has been charged with assault following an altercation with a man who was dancing barefoot on the Virgin Voyages cruise ship, Resilient Lady, on March 31. The incident occurred in international waters and was captured on surveillance footage.
According to a federal criminal complaint, the confrontation began when DeGiorgio’s wife, Nichol DeGiorgio, asked the man, identified as M.A., to put on shoes while he was dancing at the On The Rocks bar. M.A. reportedly responded with an obscene gesture. The situation escalated quickly, with DeGiorgio allegedly walking across the dance floor to confront M.A. He then grabbed the man by the neck and began choking him, during which he reportedly threatened, “I am going to f—ing kill you.” The victim described the attack as extremely forceful, saying it felt as though his throat might be ripped out.
Witnesses and security personnel reviewed the footage and confirmed DeGiorgio’s actions. After the incident, DeGiorgio was confined to his cabin until the ship docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When the FBI attempted to question him, he requested a lawyer and refused to answer their questions.
Nichol DeGiorgio later took responsibility for the incident, admitting to the FBI that she should not have confronted M.A. and clarified that he had not touched her. A spokesperson for DeGiorgio’s legal team stated that he was acting to protect his wife, who felt threatened.
DeGiorgio has been charged with assault within U.S. maritime jurisdiction. If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison. This incident raises questions about behavior on cruise ships and how conflicts are handled in such unique environments.