Latest news with #SentinelPeakResources
New York Post
05-08-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Oil baron CEO claims he was subject of ‘sham' swinger rumors so rival could steal his job: lawsuit
What a crude awakening. 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. Instagram 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.
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Oil barons at war 'after one spread rumor rival was SWINGER around country club to steal his job'
An energy magnate has accused his business partner of spreading rumors about him being a swinger in their fancy country club so he could steal his job overseeing $3billion in oil reserves. Michael Duginski, co-founder and CEO of Sentinel Peak Resources, was fired by his own company's board in May after he was accused of 'exhibiting unacceptable behavior in the workplace.' But in a lawsuit filed July 28, Duginski said the false claims came from his jealous co-founder George Ciotti, who replaced him as CEO of the Denver-based energy firm last month. 'Mr. Ciotti wanted to be the CEO of Sentinel Peak Resources, was disappointed not to be considered Mr. Duginski's successor, and therefore initiated a sham investigation into Mr. Duginski to create a vacancy for the role he coveted,' said the lawsuit, seen by Business Den. Duginski claimed in the suit that he realized what happened at the Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village where other members started inquiring about his 'lifestyle.' He said he has lost business opportunities 'as colleagues within his community and industry now have misconceptions about his character.' 'Mr. Ciotti had been spreading untrue rumors about Mr. Duginski in the first part of 2025, specifically that Mr. Duginski and his wife are swingers,' the lawsuit read. 'Mr. Ciotti shared the same information with executives and employees at SPR. This accusation is untrue, and Mr. Ciotti knew it was false but wanted to harm Mr. Duginski's reputation.' Duginski said the company was doing well and considering a possible sale when he was handed a memo in December that stated a probe had uncovered 'a concerning level of inappropriate behaviors that is putting the company at risk.' He said he was not informed what he had done wrong as he was placed on leave, according to the lawsuit. Duginski had still reportedly not been told what the claims against him were until April, when an independent investigator interviewed him about the issue but still kept the questions vague, per the court filing. The ousted CEO said he then received a letter from the board saying the probe on his behavior concluded 'there are sufficient grounds to end your employment for cause.' Duginski said in his lawsuit that he asked the company for a copy of the probe's results but never received one. Sentinel Peak owns $3billion of oil reserves mostly in California. Duginski named Sentinel Peak as a defendant and also sued Ciotti for defamation. He asked for $650,000 in back wages, $3 million that he invested in Sentinel Peak, and the unknown value of his company stock.
