Minyard, Former CEO Trade Blows in Court

DALLAS -- Ronald E. Johnson, the veteran grocery executive who spent 18 months as chief executive officer of Minyard Food Stores here, is suing the former employer for $600,000, claiming breach of contract and a “libel suit that‘s growing every day,” his lawyer, David J. Sacks of Houston, told SN Monday. Minyard‘s owners disagree, and in a countersuit claim Johnson wasted millions in company resources by employing cronies and taking kickbacks, among other things, according to published reports. Johnson was hired as CEO of Minyard shortly after the chain was sold to Fort Worth-based investors in 2004 but left the company last May. His suit against Renegade Swish, Minyard‘s owner and a division of hedge fund Q Investments, argued he was fired over the false accusation that he had solicited tickets to the NBA finals from company vendors, according to the complaint. Johnson also said he was entitled to a bonus from a deal to sell Minyard‘s warehouse that was made by the company last summer based on work Johnson had previously done. -- Jon Springer