Corporate drama usually happens behind heavy oak doors. You hear rumors, see a vague press release about "pursuing other interests," and the world moves on. Not this time. The saga of Rodney McMullen, the former head of the nation's largest traditional grocer, is getting messy in a way that’s honestly kind of shocking for the retail world.
A judge in Ohio recently handed down a ruling that has the industry buzzing: the Kroger ex-CEO ordered to testify about the exact, gritty details of why he was forced out. We aren't just talking about a standard exit interview here. We’re talking about a sworn statement explaining a "personal conduct" investigation that cost him roughly $11 million in forfeited bonuses.
The story is a wild mix of a failed $24.6 billion merger, a lawsuit involving the Grammy-nominated singer Jewel, and a corporate culture that some are calling "corrupt." It’s a lot to take in.
The Mystery of the Sudden Resignation
Back in March 2025, Rodney McMullen suddenly stepped down. This was a guy who started as a part-time stock clerk in 1978. He was the ultimate company man. So, when Kroger announced he was out after a board investigation into "business ethics," people noticed. The company was quick to say it had nothing to do with financial performance. They basically said, "He didn't cook the books, but he's gotta go."
Naturally, McMullen’s legal team tried to keep the details under wraps. They argued that making him explain the situation would be "embarrassing" and "irrelevant."
Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Christian Jenkins wasn't having it. In August 2025, he ruled that "embarrassment" isn't a legal shield. He ordered McMullen to provide a written, sworn explanation of his departure. The judge wants names. He wants the "facts and circumstances." Basically, he wants the truth that Kroger has been trying to keep quiet for months.
Why Jewel is Involved (Yes, That Jewel)
You might be wondering what a 90s folk-pop icon has to do with a grocery chain’s executive turnover. It sounds like a random Mad Libs entry, right?
It turns out Jewel and her company, Wellness Your Way Festival, sued Kroger back in 2023. They claim Kroger basically "hijacked" a wellness festival they helped create. They’re alleging breach of contract and some pretty serious fiduciary duty violations.
McMullen wasn't just the CEO; he was a huge supporter of the festival. He and Jewel were actually personal friends, exchanging plenty of emails about the event. Jewel’s lawyers are arguing that the reasons for McMullen’s firing are key to showing the "corrupt corporate culture" at Kroger. They think if he was ousted for ethics violations, it might prove a pattern of behavior that backs up their claims.
The Albertsons Factor: A Merger Gone Wrong
If the Jewel lawsuit was the only thing on the table, maybe this would stay a niche news story. But it’s not. The Kroger ex-CEO ordered to testify situation is also bleeding into a massive legal fight with Albertsons.
Remember that gargantuan plan for Kroger to buy Albertsons for nearly $25 billion? The FTC blocked it in late 2024 because they feared it would jack up grocery prices and hurt workers. When the deal collapsed, the finger-pointing started.
Albertsons is now suing Kroger, claiming McMullen and his team didn't use "best efforts" to get the deal past regulators. Their lawyers are being even more aggressive than Jewel’s. They’ve stated in court filings that McMullen "micromanaged the merger from beginning to end" and that his "business ethics (or lack thereof) lie at the heart of this case."
They basically want to know if his "personal conduct" was a distraction or if it influenced how the merger was handled. It’s a high-stakes game of "who messed up the most," and McMullen is right in the crosshairs.
What We Know vs. What We’re Waiting For
Right now, the specifics of the "conduct" are still under seal. There’s a lot of speculation—some of it pretty wild—about what actually happened.
- The "Personal Conduct" Label: In corporate speak, this usually implies something like an inappropriate relationship or a violation of internal HR policies.
- The Financial Hit: McMullen walked away from $11 million. You don't leave that kind of money on the table unless the board has a very big stick.
- The Timing: The board learned about the issue on February 21 and he was gone within 10 days. That is incredibly fast for a Fortune 500 CEO.
Why This Matters for the Average Shopper
You might think, "Who cares about a rich CEO’s drama?" but this stuff trickles down. Kroger and Albertsons are the two biggest players in the traditional grocery space. If their leadership was in chaos during a merger that would have affected millions of Americans' grocery bills, that's a public interest issue.
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The testimony could reveal how decisions were made about store closures and price hikes. During his 2024 testimony before the merger failed, McMullen famously promised that "the day we merge is the day we begin lowering prices." Later, under cross-examination, he admitted those promises weren't actually "legally enforceable."
That kind of honesty—or lack thereof—is exactly why the courts want him on the stand now. They need to know if the guy running the show was trustworthy.
Real-World Impact and Next Steps
The legal walls are closing in on the "no comment" strategy. With multiple judges ordering disclosures, the truth is going to leak out eventually.
If you’re following this case, here are the actionable things to watch for:
- The Sealing Ruling: Watch to see if Judge Jenkins keeps the testimony under seal or makes it public. If it goes public, expect a media firestorm.
- The Delaware Case: The Albertsons lawsuit in Delaware Chancery Court is where the real financial damage could happen. If they prove McMullen’s conduct sabotaged the merger, Kroger could be on the hook for billions.
- Leadership Changes: Interim CEO Ronald Sargent is currently holding the reins. The outcome of these testimonies will likely dictate who Kroger picks as a permanent successor. They need someone "clean" to wash off the McMullen era.
The bottom line is that the era of the "untouchable CEO" is fading. When a Kroger ex-CEO is ordered to testify about his private behavior, it sends a message to every other C-suite executive: your "personal" conduct is only personal until it affects the shareholders and the law.
Keep an eye on the Hamilton County court filings over the next few weeks. That’s where the real story is hiding.