Former Rogers CEO Joe Natale sues for wrongful dismissal, seeking $24M
CBC
Former Rogers CEO Joe Natale is suing the company for wrongful dismissal and breach of contract, alleging Rogers chairman Edward Rogers carried out "malicious, high-handed, and oppressive conduct."
In a statement of claim filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Thursday, Natale accused Edward and his wife Suzanne Rogers of attempting to "tarnish his reputation" following his ouster in November 2021.
But Rogers called its former chief executive's claims "baseless" and alleged Natale "engaged in serious misconduct" while serving at the company's helm. It said as a result, it has now terminated Natale for cause.
In court filings, Natale accused Edward and Suzanne Rogers of hiring actor Brian Cox of HBO's Succession to create a "demeaning" video about him and allegedly distributing it to family members, friends and colleagues, before it was eventually reported on by media.
The video included a message congratulating Edward Rogers on his "real-life succession at Rogers Communications" and used an expletive to describe Natale's departure from the company.
He said he and his firm Natale Industries Inc. are entitled to a combined $24 million, including $4 million from an unpaid bonus related to the closing of Rogers' acquisition of Shaw Communication Inc. in April.
None of the claims in Natale's suit have been tested in court.
Natale's departure from the Toronto-based telecommunications giant was announced following a boardroom power struggle over the chairman's desire to replace him with then-chief financial officer Tony Staffieri.
Edward's initial attempt to oust Natale in favour of his No. 2 led instead to Staffieri's departure in September 2021, as well as a board vote that saw Edward removed from his seat at the head of the table.
Edward penned a shareholder resolution — without a shareholder meeting — to oust the five directors who had defied him. The company filed a legal challenge to his revamped board, sparking a court battle over who actually served on it.
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge ruled Edward Rogers' declaration legitimate and he was reinstated as chairman.
Staffieri replaced Natale as president and CEO in the aftermath of the ruling.
In the court filings, Natale said he negotiated and agreed upon the terms of his severance in a series of meetings with Edward in September 2021, that were approved by the Rogers board.
But he said a group of board members then asked him to stay on as CEO against Edward's wishes "to support the strategic priorities of the business, including to complete the Shaw Deal and support the complex regulatory approvals and post-merger integration efforts."
