Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned immediately following an investigation that found his personal conduct violated the company’s ethics policies. Last month, Kroger announced it had become aware of certain personal conduct by McMullen, prompting an investigation by the board. No further details were disclosed, but the company stated that his conduct was unrelated to the company’s financial performance, operations, or reporting, and did not involve any Kroger associates. Ronald Sargent, a Kroger board member since 2006, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is named. “As interim CEO, I am committed to working alongside our proven and experienced management team and dedicated associates to ensure Kroger continues providing exceptional value for our customers,” Sargent said in a press release. McMullen joined Kroger nearly five decades ago as a part-time stock clerk in Kentucky in 1978. He advanced through the ranks, holding various leadership roles including chief financial officer, and was elected to the company’s board in 2003, becoming CEO in 2014. This change comes months after Kroger abandoned its $25 billion merger with Albertsons due to regulatory pressure from the previous US administration. Consequently, Albertsons sued Kroger for breach of contract, alleging Kroger caused the merger to be blocked by failing to exercise its “best efforts” and take “any and all actions” to secure regulatory approval. — news from CNN
