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Court Rules Against Minyard CEO

A jury in Dallas County District Court here has ordered Ronald E. Johnson, the former top executive at Minyard Food Stores, Jitney-Jungle Stores of America and Kash n' Karry Food Stores, to pay $2.3 million in damages to Minyard for a series of ethics violations during his 17 months with the company. The jury rejected Johnson's claim that he was entitled to $600,000 in bonuses tied to the sale

DALLAS — A jury in Dallas County District Court here has ordered Ronald E. Johnson, the former top executive at Minyard Food Stores, Jitney-Jungle Stores of America and Kash n' Karry Food Stores, to pay $2.3 million in damages to Minyard for a series of ethics violations during his 17 months with the company.

The jury rejected Johnson's claim that he was entitled to $600,000 in bonuses tied to the sale of corporate real estate, which was the basis of the original suit Johnson filed against the company in 2007.

In a countersuit, Minyard said Johnson had “lined his own pockets” and “feathered his own nest” by hiring friends and relatives for various corporate projects. It also said he had tried to solicit tickets from vendors for a Dallas Mavericks playoff game.

The jury upheld the company's claims and ordered Johnson to pay $1 million in actual damages and an additional $1.3 million in exemplary damages.

Johnson told SN he expects to present several “outstanding issues” over the next few weeks before the judge issues a ruling in about 30 days.