Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

SEC Probes Yahoo Posts of Whole Foods CEO

SEC probes executive's posts on Yahoo! Finance message board

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Jul 14, 2007 3:59 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – John Mackey, the Whole Foods CEO who posted attacks on a competitor in Yahoo financial forums, is under scrutiny by the SEC for his anonymous mischief-making. The federal agency is informally investigating whether the posts violate "fair disclosure" rules. They could be a problem for Mackey if officials find that he was deliberately trying to manipulate Whole Foods stock.

Mackey had been posting rosy assessments of his own company's  performance over a seven-year period while disparaging Wild Oats Markets, using the moniker 'rahodeb,' an anagram for Deborah, his wife's name. The FTC has objected to a proposed Whole Foods buyout of Wild Oats on anti-trust grounds.

A Whole Foods Market is shown in Portland, Maine, in this Feb. 7, 2007 file photo. Whole Foods Market Inc. is expected to release quarterly earnings on Wednesday, May 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach, file)
A Whole Foods Market is shown in Portland, Maine, in this Feb. 7, 2007 file photo. Whole Foods Market Inc. is expected to release quarterly earnings on Wednesday, May 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach,...   (Associated Press)
Customers are seen outside a Whole Foods Market in Dallas, Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Whole Foods Market Inc. is expected to release quarterly earnings on Wednesday. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Customers are seen outside a Whole Foods Market in Dallas, Wednesday, May 9, 2007. Whole Foods Market Inc. is expected to release quarterly earnings on Wednesday. (AP Photo/LM Otero)   (Associated Press)
A London policeman walks past the Whole Foods Market in London's Kensington High Street, west London Friday June 1, 2007. Whole Foods Market Inc., America's most successful organic supermarket chain, opens its massive flagship London store next week. Some analysts say it will become a must-travel-to destination store. Others warn...
A London policeman walks past the Whole Foods Market in London's Kensington High Street, west London Friday June 1, 2007. Whole Foods Market Inc., America's most successful organic supermarket chain,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Excerpts from Mackey's posts
TheStreet

Whole Foods' official response
Wholefoodsmarket.com

 
organic food • CEO • Whole Foods • Wild Oats • John Mackey

More Newser Stories

Meet the 'Right-Wing Hippie' Who Runs Whole Foods

Whole Foods May Reap Wild Oats: Judge

Whole Foods CEO Sorry for Web Subterfuge

Food Fight: CEO Ripped Rival in Secret Posts

Don't Take It Out on the Arugula
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne