CEO Of Finance Firm Chokeslammed A Barefoot Dancer On A Cruise Ship

The CEO of a California-based finance firm is facing a federal assault charge after choking a guy on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship.

The incident happened early Monday morning in international waters, aboard the cruise ship Resilient Lady, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Authorities say that First American Financial Corp CEO Kenneth DeGiorgio allegedly choked a man after an incident that had to do with his wife, Nichol DeGiorgio.

DeGiorgio's legal team said he was protecting his wife.

"Mr. DeGiorgio responded to the actions of an individual who harassed his wife, making her feel threatened and intimidated," the spokesperson said in a statement Thursday.

The complaint alleges that the victim, identified by the initials M.A., was dancing barefoot on the dance floor in the ship's bar, On The Rocks, when Mrs. DeGiorgio asked him to put his shoes on.

She told cops she asked the victim, "Look, we are all grown-ups here, can you put your shoes on?"

The barefoot man reportedly responded, “Shut up, you f—king bitch," while flipping the bird at her, and Mr. DeGiorgio did not take kindly to that behavior.

That was when, according to some sources, DeGiorgio reportedly choke slammed the victim, pinning him to the ground by his throat, and according to the victim, told the man "I am going to f***ing kill you."

DeGiorgio was ordered confined to his room until the ship arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where authorities met them.

The legal team representing DeGiorgio said he looks forward to being absolved of any wrongdoing.

Read more at NBC