A man's recent domestic violence charge preceded his retirement announcement from a major payroll processing company by two days, with his former company announcing the retirement the next day - without mention of his arrest, as reported by the Associated Press for several media sources.
The man, G.B., is facing criminal domestic violence charges stemming from an altercation with his wife, M.B., who had claimed to police deputies that an argument between the two had escalated when he grabbed and held her by the neck, in their home in South Carolina.
G.B is the former President and CEO of payroll giant Automated Data Processing Inc.
He was arrested on November 6 and announced his retirement, via e-mail to the board, on November 8. The company, without mention of his recent arrest, then made their announcement on November 9.
In his e-mail to the board G.B. allegedly claimed that his need to resign, from his job of 37 years, was due to personal reasons.
The ADP company board said that they knew of the "circumstances surrounding his decision."
The domestic violence incident occurred on November 6. At that time, per M.B., 58, the couple had begun arguing over dinner. M.B. also stated that G.B. drank alcohol during the dinner and later, after they had returned to their Bluffton home.
As reported by Sgt. R.M, G.B. entered the couple's bedroom, laid down on their bed, and continued to argue with M.B. as she began packing for their return trip to their home in New Jersey.
Suddenly during the argument, per M.B., G.B. leapt from the bed, and grabbed her with both of his hands around her neck. In R.M.'s report, M.B. reported feeling "like her bones were going to break" during the attack.
At this point, G.B. relinquished his hold on M.B.'s neck only to use his hands to grab at her wrists and then to fling her against a bureau in the bedroom.
At this point M.B. was able to break away and flee from the home.
When officers arrived they discovered G.B. sitting on the front steps of his home, alone, and smelling of alcohol. He admitted to R.M. that the couple indeed fought, but assured the sergeant that there was no physical attack.
When officers encountered M.B. they noted that though her neck was reddened, she did not require medical attention.
G.B. was charged with misdemeanor first-degree criminal domestic violence.
During the company's annual meeting, that same day, ADP shareholders had just re-elected G.B. to a one-year term on their board of directors.
ADP is number 275 out of the 2011 Fortune 500 list. As of last month the company had seen their first-quarter fiscal profits up by 9 percent.
The Associated Press, in querying G.B. for comment, was unable to gain anything further for this story.
After charging your partner, no matter how powerful, with domestic violence you can begin to rebuild your own life. Contact a family law attorney to best represent you and end your abuse.