By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-03 14:11:29 | Updated at 2025-03-03 20:30:39
6 hours ago
The CEO of grocery store giant Kroger has been forced to resign over mysterious 'personal conduct.'
Rodney McMullen's departure was announced Monday morning. Bosses refused to detail the scandal beyond saying that it was 'unrelated to the business' and 'inconsistent with Kroger's policy on business ethics.'
McMullen, 64, alerted the board to his 'certain personal conduct' on February 21 this year.
CEO of grocery store giant Kroger, Rodney McMullen (pictured), has been forced to resign over mysterious 'personal conduct'
Independent lawyers were drafted in to probe his behavior. Kroger insisted the scandal 'is not related to the company's financial performance, operations or reporting. '
Lead director Ronald Sargeant has been appointed interim CEO in the wake of McMullen's departure.
The company, scheduled to report its fourth-quarter results on Thursday, said McMullen would not be eligible to receive a bonus payout for 2024.
Shares of Kroger, based in Cincinnati, fell about 1.3 percent before the opening bell.
The 64-year-old began his career with Kroger in 1978 as a part-time stock clerk and bagger at a store in Lexington, Kentucky.
He worked his way up through the company, becoming chief financial officer in 1995 and chief operating officer in 2009.
McMullen was named Kroger's CEO in 2014 and chairman in 2015. He held both positions until his dismissal.
Developing story, check back for updates
