BENTONVILLE, Arkansas: Irwin M Jacobs , the billionaire proprietor of Jacobs Trading Company, at whom sacked Wal-Mart marketer Julie Roehm pointed a beautifully-manicured finger last week, is suing her for defamation.
The suit was filed in the retail giant's home county after Roehm publicly accused Wal-Mart ceo Lee Scott of accepting gifts and favors from Jacobs (pictured above) - charges similar to the alleged offenses for which Roehm was fired last December.
According to Roehm, Scott purchased boats from another of Jacobs' companies at "preferential prices," bought jewelry at bargain-basement rates and accepted trips on Jacobs' private jet.
Jacobs' suit avers that her claims are "false [and] made without any attempt to investigate the truth or falsity of the statement made and was made with malice and ill will towards Wal-Mart, Mr H Lee Scott, Mr Jacobs and Jacobs Trading."
Fans of The Apprentice should stay tuned for the next episode of this other riveting corporate reality show - not least because Roehm is far easier on the eye than Donald Trump.
Data sourced from AdWeek (USA); additional content by WARC staff
