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Santa Ana-based First American Financial Corp. (NYSE: FAF), one of the nation’s largest title insurers, announced the departure of CEO Ken DeGiorgio, who was arrested April 3 for allegedly attacking a fellow passenger during a Caribbean cruise.
DeGiorgio faces federal criminal charges over “choking another passenger” on the dance floor while aboard Virgin Voyages on March 31, according to federal authorities and the New York Times.
DeGiorgio’s lawyers told the New York Times that the incident occurred after a man harassed the executive’s wife after she told him to put his shoes on.
The FBI arrested DeGiorgio, First American’s chief executive for three years, on April 3. DeGiorgio was charged with assault “for events which took place aboard a cruise ship en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico on or about March 31, 2025,” the FBI said in a statement.
“Violent crimes committed aboard cruise ships fall under federal jurisdiction and we take them very seriously,” Acting Special Agent in Charge Devin J. Kowalski said in a statement. “If you break the law at sea, expect to face consequences on land.”
First American CFO Mark E. Seaton has been appointed CEO. Treasurer Matt F. Wajner has been promoted to CFO.
“We are looking forward to our next chapter under the strong leadership of Mark Seaton,” Executive Chairman of First American Dennis Gilmore said in a statement. “No one is more ready to be our CEO than Mark, who has played a leading role in our most critical strategic initiatives, which are driving the digital transformation of our business. We want to thank Ken DeGiorgio for his many years of service to First American.”
Read more in the April 21 print edition of the Business Journal.