Whole Foods CEO Sorry for Web Subterfuge

Online shenanigans draw board scrutiny along with SEC probe

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 18, 2007 6:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – The CEO of Whole Foods apologized yesterday for boosting his company and posting snide comments about a rival supermarket chain in Internet forums and said he "had fun doing it." John Mackey's actions over the last 8 years have already triggered an SEC investigation, and the company's board said yesterday it will launch its probe, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Mackey's online hobby came to light as the FTC began scrutinizing Whole Foods' bid to take over Wild Oats, the subject of some of his virtual scorn, for $565 million. The agency on June 6 to prevent the merger, arguing that competition would decrease and prices would surge; a hearing on the injunction is slated for July 31.

Whole Foods To Buy Wild Oats Markets For $565 Million (Getty Images (by Event))

US Giant Whole Food Market Opens Flagship Store (Getty Images)

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Whole Foods CEO Sorry for Web Subterfuge

Online shenanigans draw board scrutiny along with SEC probe

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Whole Foods CEO Sorry for Web Subterfuge

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

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Reactions to the news

food • Yahoo • mergers and acquisitions • Whole Foods • Wild Oats • finance • forums • message boards • SEC • acquisition • John Mackey • FTC • food company

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Court Stalls Whole Foods Merger

FTC wins 2 days to argue that $565M Wild Oats deal would ruin competition

Whole Foods May Reap Wild Oats: Judge

Federal Judge won't block merger

FTC Spills Trade Secrets

Redacted portions were actually easily legible

Food Fight: CEO Ripped Rival in Secret Posts

Whole Foods boss trashed Wild Oats in Yahoo forum

Whole Foods Cannot Sow Wild Oats

FTC accuses crunchy granola types of monopoly grab

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Newser By Users

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