Pay stories had 'untruths': Calgary utility CEO

The head of Enmax has told employees of the city-owned utility that the company is taking legal steps to prevent information leaks, according to an internal memo obtained by CBC News.

It was revealed last month that Enmax CEO Gary Holden took home $2.7 million including base pay and bonuses in 2009, making him one of the highest paid heads of any publicly owned company or government agency in Alberta.

Holden also hosted parties at his Calgary-area house that featured big-name rock stars, including the Tragically Hip's Gord Downie, it was reported.

In a five-page memo to all Enmax employees, however, Holden said those revelations were erroneous.

In the all-staff email, Holden wrote: "The stories were based on untruths and misrepresentations, initiated by individuals who hope to personally gain if Enmax faces difficulty."

Holdenadded that company officials suspect the information was assembled by a senior executive who is "no longer in the loop."

Enmax is taking legal steps to stop this person, the memo said.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi is aware of the story, takes it very seriously and plans to meet with Enmax officials soon, his office said.

According to David Allwright, associate dean of the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University, the memo is a surprisingly frank tactic that could backfire on Holden.

"He's clearly frustrated and facing some difficult scrutiny that may or may not be warranted," he said. "But it's certainly an exceptional circumstance and an exceptional communication. I've never seen anything quite like it before.

"It's not something that you want your corporation to get an image of being, of going out and trying to track down whistleblowers and shooting the messenger. Nobody likes it when that happens."

Enmax officials have refused to comment on the matter.

Holden also directly addressed the controversy that news of hismultimillion-dollarpaycheque generated.

"If some of you find that objectionable, I can relate to that sentiment. I remember thinking the same thing when I was younger. It's a very human reaction to question the pay packets of the well-paid," the memo said.

Everything reported in the initial CBC.ca story about Holden's pay and the parties held at his house was verified by Enmax board chairman Cliff Fryers.