Oil baron CEO claims he was subject of ‘sham' swinger rumors so rival could steal his job: lawsuit
The co-founder and CEO of a wealthy Colorado-based energy firm accused an inner-company rival of spreading 'sham' rumors that he and his wife were swingers at a local country club to steal his job, according to a lawsuit.
Michael Duginski, of Sentinel Peak Resources in Denver, was axed by his company in May after being sent a memo that he had allegedly exhibited 'unacceptable behavior in the workplace,' according to the lawsuit obtained by BusinessDen.
Michael Duginski claims he was axed by his oil firm after his rival co-founder spread rumors that he and his wife were swingers.
Crescent Energy Group
Duginksi was placed on leave, but his company board allegedly refused to tell him what he was being accused of.
After an ominous investigation and a probe, he was fired by the three other members of the company's board, the lawsuit filed last Monday claimed.
The former oil baron said the decision to fire him started from rumors over his sexual proclivities spread by jealous co-founder George Ciotti, who took over his job as CEO when he was ousted, court records stated.
In July, Duginski had several 'revealing' conversations at the Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, where he learned that Ciotti spread rumors that he and his wife were swingers and had sexual relationships with others outside their marriage, the filing claimed.
Ciotti allegedly launched a 'sham investigation' against Duginski to 'create a vacancy for the role he coveted,' the lawsuit said.
'This accusation is untrue, and Mr. Ciotti knew it was false but wanted to harm Mr. Duginski's reputation,' the document said.
Duginski had several 'revealing' conversations at the Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, leading him to learn about the rumors.
Duginski is suing Sentinel Peak Resources for $650,000 in back wages, $3 million that he invested in the company and the value of his company stock — in addition to suing Ciotti for defamation.
'Colleagues within his community and industry now have misconceptions about his character,' the filing alleged.
Sentinel Peak Resources is a portfolio company focused on the acquisition and development of oil and gas assets, according to its company website.
A representative of the company did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
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