Tyson Foods Suspends CFO John Tyson After Arrest
June 14, 2024: Tyson Foods, a major US-based meat processing company, announced the suspension of its Chief Financial Officer, John R. Tyson, on June 13, 2024. This action follows Mr. Tyson’s arrest by the University of Arkansas police department in Fayetteville, Arkansas, earlier that day.
According to police records, Mr. Tyson, the great-grandson of the company’s founder, was apprehended on charges of driving under the influence (DUI). Additional charges included careless driving and making an illegal turn. He was released later on the same day after posting a bond. A court date has been scheduled for July 15, 2024.
In a statement released by Tyson Foods, the company acknowledged the arrest and confirmed Mr. Tyson’s immediate suspension from his duties. Curt Calaway, a veteran Tyson employee with extensive experience in finance, was named interim CFO.
This incident marks the second time in recent years that Mr. Tyson has faced legal trouble related to alcohol use. In 2022, he was arrested for public intoxication and criminal trespass after entering a stranger’s residence and falling asleep. He subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges and resolved the matter through fines and court fees. At that time, Mr. Tyson issued a company-wide apology and disclosed he was undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse.
The suspension comes at a critical juncture for Tyson Foods as the company grapples with ongoing challenges in the meat processing industry. The company did not comment on the potential long-term implications of Mr. Tyson’s situation for his future employment.
