Carl Rogberg, 50, was admitted to hospital for surgery after suffering a heart attack
The long running trial of three former Tesco executives accused of ‘cooking the books’ to ‘exaggerate’ the supermarket’s profits by £250m has been aborted after one of the men suffered a heart attack.
Carl Rogberg, 50, Chris Bush, 51, and John Scouler, 49, were said to have acted as the ‘generals’ behind an alleged plot which eventually wiped £2billion off the total share value of Britain’s biggest retailer.
The supermarket’s former finance chief, managing director and food commercial director were said to have ‘cooked the books’ in an attempt to save their multi-million-pound jobs and huge seven-figure salaries.
But the trial at Southwark Crown Court was aborted after it emerged Rogberg was admitted to hospital for surgery after suffering a heart attack last Thursday.
Judge Deborah Taylor told the remaining 11 jurors: ‘The position is this, that very unfortunately and sadly Mr Rogberg has suffered from a heart attack and is currently in hospital awaiting surgery.
‘In the circumstances, it would not be right or proper to continue with this trial and therefore I am discharging you with dealing further with this case.’
The case stems from a statement to the stock market on 22 September 2014 announcing Tesco had overstated their expected profits by approximately £250million.
John Scouler, 49, (left outside court), Christopher Bush, 51 (right) and Carl Rogberg allegedly acted as the ‘generals’ behind an alleged plot which eventually wiped £2billion off the total share value of Britain’s biggest retailer
Tesco was forced to issue a second statement correcting its interim profits, sending shockwaves through the market and wiping £2billion off the stock’s value.
It plunged the supermarket into the biggest crisis in its near 100-year history when it was announced by chief executive Dave Lewis less than a month into his new role replacing the ousted Philip Clarke.
All three men denied fraud and false accounting in relation to the scandal and sat through their trial which began with the prosecution opening last September.
Summing up was due to resume today after lengthy delays throughout January.
A decision on any possible retrial will be made next month.
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