A high-flying finance boss who paid for a stay at one of the world’s most famous hotels on his company card when his wallet was stolen was fired after bosses ‘disapproved of his lifestyle’, an employment tribunal heard.
Mr Price was in New York while his wallet was stolen, however, his daughter, who was under 18, was in Pennsylvania and he had to use the work card for her flight to the city CPPIB was criticised by an employment judge who found that they ‘took issue with his lifestyle choices’ even though he was ‘entitled to spend what was, ultimately, his money as he saw fit’.
It was heard in August 2023 he was in the USA with his daughter on holiday and his wallet was stolen. Then, Mr Price and his daughter were due to continue their trip to Venice, Italy, for three nights, going via Heathrow airport. Considered the most glamorous hotel in Venice, it is a hotspot for celebrities and is popular with the likes of Brad Pitt, Angeline Jolie, George and Amal Clooney, and Elizabeth Taylor.After returning to the UK, Mr Price’s replacement cards had not arrived and he went on the next leg of his trip, to a coastal hotel in Albania with his partner, Ms Antonian, who runs her own AI business.
Ms Antonian ended up being dragged into the investigation when CPPIB interrogated Mr Price over his holidays.