Disgraced Enmax CEO Gary Holden’s lavish lifestyle did not stop at high-priced parties and entertainers at his multi-million dollar home. An aid to Holden who remained anonymous, released an email to CalgaryFinder.com stating that Holden would often use electricity as a weapon and as a bribe to prostitutes after retaining their services. Providing electricity to Calgarians is the primary service offered by the Enmax Corporation, which also is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The City of Calgary.
One victim, a 28 year old woman, who identified herself as “Jennifer”, said when Holden did not get what he wanted, he would threaten to “cut off” her electricity. “I would receive a text message at 2am, saying he [Holden] will have a Lincoln sedan sent out to Forest Lawn to pick me up. If I said no, he said he would have Enmax crews in a cherry picker disconnecting my electricity, I feared for my life, it was minus 30 that winter so I had no choice but to go his place,” Jennifer said.
Holden’s handling of his contentious salary and rock star house parties have earned him the No. 5 spot in Forbes Magazine’s Top 10 list for biggest CEO screw-up of the year. Holden was paid $2.4 million in 2008 and $2.7 million last year in salary and bonuses. “We have to remember that while Enmax is operated as a private company, it is owned by the taxpayers and its only revenue source is the taxpayers of this city,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
Ian Todd, vice-president of government and media relations, confirmed a report by CBC News that as part of Holden’s compensation package, the chief executive has a company car and driver for work-related business.
