PITTSBURGH — The chief executive officer of Highmark Inc. is facing charges of simple assault and defiant trespass.
Kenneth Melani was charged Wednesday in connection with an incident on Sunday. The charges were filed by police in Oakmont.
Investigators said Melani went to the home of a woman he was having an affair with, walked in uninvited, started calling her names and got into a fight with her husband.
Police said the fight happened on Canterbury Court in Oakmont on Sunday night.
“It is unfortunate the charges were preferred in the first place, and in due process, we will sort this matter out,” said defense attorney Bob DelGreco. “Frankly, I'm a bit optimistic as I stand here now and hopeful for a favorable outcome.”
According to the criminal complaint, Melissa Myler was hired by Melani in October 2011. The complaint stated that about three weeks after she was hired, Melani and Myler began an affair.
Police said Myler then lived with Melani at the Docks in Fox Chapel for about two months. Soon after, Myler told police that Melani hired a private investigator.
The complaint said that when Myler told her husband about the private investigator, Melani showed up at their home uninvited.
The police documents stated that Melani accused Myler of cheating on him and said, "It's all about the money."
Officers said Melani then got into a fist fight on the front porch with Mark Myler.
Days later, Oakmont police arrested Melani on assault and trespassing charges.
On Thursday morning a judge ordered Melani not to contact Myler.
Highmark spokesman Michael Weinstein released a statement Thursday saying, "The situation related to Dr. Melani is a personal matter and he is currently taking an unpaid leave of absence from the company. Highmark's Board of Directors and senior leadership team remain committed to our mission, business strategies and the communities we serve, and the company continues to move forward with day-to-day operations."
Highmark provides insurance to more than 4.8 million members in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and had total combined revenue of $14.6 billion in 2010.