84-Year-Old Millionaire Accused Of Groping Employee

By Tom Mustin

DENVER (CBS4) - Stunning allegations have emerged against a wealthy 84-year-old Cherry Hills oil tycoon.

Jack Grynberg, of Grynberg Petroleum, was arrested last Thursday. He's accused of groping an employee, then firing her after she refused his advances.

"Anytime a woman comes forward with allegations like this, especially as they relate to something that has taken place in the workplace where you hope you just go in and do your job and are safe doing it, certainly it is concerning," Lynn Kimbrough with the Denver D.A.'s Office told CBS4's Tom Mustin.

According to the arrest affidavit, in August Grynberg hired a woman as a temporary assistant for his Denver office at 3600 South Yosemite. He took her to lunch and touched her inappropriately.

Afterwards, he drove her to his building's underground garage. He asked her to enter a dark room. When she refused, he pulled her into the room, placed his hands under her shirt, kissed her neck and grabbed her breasts.

She told him to stop and they returned to the office. He later asked if she could come to his home, and "pick fruit." She said "no" and was fired.

Kimbrough says Grynberg has faced similar accusations before.

"Mr. Grynberg has been investigated on at least one other occasion for similar allegations but no criminal charges resulted."

Grynberg gave the victim a severance check for more than $3,000. An employee told the victim not to file charges or "everyone would be out of a job."

Now the justice system will decide if this powerful millionaire committed a felony offense.

"The allegations have been filed, the charges have been made and we just let the process go on from here," said Kimbrough.

Grynberg's Cherry Hills neighbors told Mustin they "feared retribution" if they spoke on camera.

Grynberg is facing one count of unlawful sexual contact with force -- a Class 4 Felony. He's due back in court Jan. 10.

His attorney did not return our calls.

Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.