Pittsburgh based Highmark Inc. has fired its CEO. Kenneth R. Melani, who testified here in Erie last September before a state insurance panel, was terminated Sunday by Highmark's board.
Melani was placed on administrative leave last Thursday after police charged him with assault and trespassing. According to published reports, it all stems from an affair with a Highmark employee and an altercation with her husband.
Board chairman Robert Baum is now serving as acting chair. The leadership change comes as Highmark is working to acquire West Penn Allegheny Health System. It's a 475 million dollar deal that's put Highmark in a competitive battle with UPMC.