Tyson Foods, a major meat processor based in the U.S., made headlines when it announced the suspension of its Chief Financial Officer following his arrest for various offenses, including driving under the influence.
Reports revealed that John R. Tyson was arrested by University of Arkansas Police for charges such as drunken driving, reckless driving, and improper turning. He was later released after posting a $1105 bond by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
John Randal Tyson, born in 1922 and a great-grandson of the founder John W. Tyson, has been serving as the CFO of Tyson Foods since 2022. In response to his recent arrest, Tyson Foods quickly suspended his duties, appointing Curt Calaway as the interim CFO.
Following the incident, the company’s stock price dropped by 1.5%.
Previous Troubles with the Law
John R. Tyson had previous run-ins with the law, including arrests for criminal trespassing and public intoxication. A concerning incident involved a female student finding him asleep on her bed, although she did not know him.
In response, Tyson sent out an apology letter within the company, revealing that he had sought counseling for alcoholism. Charges from previous incidents were dropped after he paid fines, legal fees, and entered a guilty plea.
Prior to his role as CFO, John R. Tyson served as the company’s chief sustainability officer. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
America First Legal, a legal non-profit, has accused Tyson Foods of discriminatory practices, racism, and child labor issues.
Tyson Foods is a major player in the meat industry, ranking as the world’s second-largest processor and distributor of beef, chicken, and pork. The company is responsible for about a fifth of all such products sold in the U.S., with its headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas.