Ex-Rogers CEO Joe Natale sues company for alleged wrongful dismissal

The former CEO of Rogers Communications Inc. Joe Natale is suing the company for $24 million, claiming it is in breach of contract and that he was wrongfully dismissed, according to a Globe and Mail article published on Friday. In a statement of claim filed Thursday with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Natale argues he was terminated without cause in November 2021 and the company “refuses to fulfill its contractual obligations,” including unpaid bonuses following the Rogers-Shaw deal and performance-related restricted stocks. Rogers, however, says Natale was fired with cause and it will be filing a counterclaim. According to a statement from spokesperson Sarah Schmidt, an independent investigation “reveals that in October 2021, Mr. Natale knew that steps were being taken to make changes to the board and this would end his tenure as CEO. Before his departure, he awarded himself excessive compensation without proper board approval. This, and other actions, were a serious breach of his fiduciary duties as a chief executive officer and director of a public company.” Schmidt argued Natale’s “baseless claim” is an attempt to “get ahead of the investigation.” Natale was CEO of Rogers from 2017 to 2021, until he was replaced by former CFO Tony Staffieri following a turbulent string of family and boardroom drama. Through the chaos amongst the company’s senior team, Natale claims in his court filings that the company’s chairman Edward Rogers, and his wife Suzanne Rogers, “intentionally disparaged” him and “took steps to tarnish his reputation.” The ex-CEO stated he is seeking “punitive, moral, and aggravated damages.” This is the third instance a former executive of Rogers has sued the company for wrongful dismissal following the Shaw acquisition. Ted Woodhead, former chief regulatory officer and head of government affairs, was fired from the company in April of this year and filed his claim in July. According to the Globe and Mail, he is owed a bonus from Rogers after his role as a “key player in the discussions” of the deal. A claim Rogers has dismissed, instead saying he was fired due to performance issues. Moheni Singh, former human resources VP, filed her suit in April. She alleges the company promised her compensation for postponing her retirement, but was then fired before she could receive it. – Reporting by Phalen Tynes-MacDonald at pcreed@thewirereport.ca and editing by jcocullo@thewirereport.ca.

Ex-Rogers CEO Joe Natale sues company for alleged wrongful dismissal

News | August 18, 2023

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Ex-Rogers CEO Joe Natale sues company for alleged wrongful dismissal

News | August 18, 2023

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