Monday, June 04, 2007

Financier sues fired Wal-Mart executive for libel


Financier Irwin Jacobs filed a lawsuit against fired Wal-Mart executive Julie Roehm, claiming she libeled him when she said his companies were involved in sweetheart deals with Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott:

"These false accusations are clearly an attempt to use Mr. Jacobs and his business relationship with Wal-Mart to sensationalize your client's claims," according to the letter, which Jacobs filed with his suit.

In particular, Roehm alleged that Jacobs gave Scott discounts on diamond and yacht purchases. She also claimed that Jacobs gave the CEO free rides on his personal jets to vacation homes in Florida and Las Vegas.

In his suit, Jacobs said he never sold a diamond to Scott or provided free private-jet trips. He said one of his companies, boat manufacturer Genmar Holdings, sold three Wellcraft brand boats to Scott at "market prices."

Jacobs also denied allegations that his company, Jacobs Trading, which buys leftover goods from retailers and resells them, had an "exclusive" deal with Wal-Mart.


Ms. Roehm, was fired following allegations that she accepted gifts from an advertising agency that deals with Wal-Mart. She was in charge of marketing and communications. Company officials also claimed Ms. Roehm had an affair with someone who worked for her.

More information about her lawsuit can be found in the May 26 Turner Report.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I always thought Peyton Place was fictional! Sounds like good old WalMart continues to think that it makes the rules!