Blackbaud President and CEO Michael Gianoni will contest charges of driving while under the influence first offense according to a filing on Thursday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Gianoni was arrested after a traffic stop in Isle of Palms, South Carolina on February 16 while returning home from a family event, according to information in the report filed by Isle of Palms Police.
The company filed an Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure on Form 8-K with the SEC on February 22. The statement reads, in part, “Mr. Gianoni has informed the Board that he is contesting the charges. Mr. Gianoni continues to serve as President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board at the direction of the Board. The Board takes this matter seriously and is continuing to monitor it and associated considerations.”
Gianoni, 63, was taken into custody at 2:20 a.m. after police spotted his Mercedes SUV with high beams on within 200 feet of two vehicles, one of which was a police vehicle. Gianoni’s SUV crossed over the road’s white fog line and a turn signal was not used when changing lanes, according to the police report.
Gianoni was given field sobriety tests and then brought to Isle of Palms Police headquarters for a breathalyzer test, which he declined, according to information in the police report. He was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center and posted a $992 personal recognizance bond the next morning, according to Isle of Palms Police Sgt. Matthew R. Storen.
Gianoni has an April 24 date in municipal court. A spokesperson for Blackbaud declined to comment.
According to a separate SEC filing, Gianoni sold 25,354 shares of Blackbaud common stock on February 20 at $68.77 per share totaling $1.74 million.
Blackbaud is a public company with shares traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol BLKB. The stock opened today at $67.71 per share, down from its 52-week high of $88.56. The stock is down 21.9% year to date but up 16.7% for the 12 months ended Thursday.
