A judge in Ohio has instructed the former CEO of Kroger, Rodney McMullen, to clarify the reasons behind his abrupt resignation earlier this year as part of an unrelated lawsuit connected to pop star Jewel.
The singer, known for her hit “You Were Meant for Me,” has filed a lawsuit against Kroger, claiming damages over contractual issues tied to a wellness festival she helped launch for the company.
In their legal complaint, the plaintiffs suggest that McMullen’s resignation in March could be linked to their case, alluding to what they describe as Kroger’s troubling corporate culture affecting his credibility.
McMullen’s legal team argued that forcing him to explain his resignation was irrelevant to the lawsuit and intended to embarrass him. However, Judge Christian A. Jenkins ruled that he must provide an explanation.
In Kroger’s official announcement about McMullen’s resignation, the company insisted that it was unrelated to business operations but noted that his personal actions were inconsistent with the firm’s ethical standards.
The judge mentioned, “It seems plausible that this evidence could directly reflect on either McMullen’s credibility or Kroger’s corporate culture,” stressing the importance of understanding the reasoning behind his resignation to assess its relevance.
Despite the sensitive nature of the request, the judge mandated that McMullen testify under oath regarding the factors leading to his departure.
Upon review, the court granted McMullen some protection, but he was still required to respond to the inquiries strictly within the bounds of the judicial process.
On August 1, McMullen was given a week to comply with the judge’s order.
Attempts to get comments from Jewel and Kroger were made.
