Tyson Foods suspends founder’s great-grandson as CFO after drunk driving arrest

Tyson Foods has decided to suspend John R. Tyson, the great-grandson of the company’s founder, as chief financial officer after he was arrested on Thursday for drunken driving.

Police records show he was arrested by University of Arkansas Police in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In addition to driving under the influence, Tyson was also charged with illegal turning and reckless driving.

Tyson was released on the same day of his arrest after posting $1,105 bail, but was due in court on July 15.

In a statement, the company admitted that it knew about Tyson’s arrest and immediately suspended the company founder’s descendant. Tyson is the son of John H. Tyson, the CEO of Tyson Foods, AP reported.

“We are aware that John Randal Tyson, Chief Financial Officer of Tyson Foods, has been arrested for suspected drunken driving,” the company said in a statement.

“Tyson Foods has suspended Mr. Tyson from his duties effective immediately and appointed Curt Calaway as interim chief financial officer,” the statement continued.

This is not the first time Tyson has been in trouble with the law. In 2022, he was also charged with two misdemeanors after wandering into the wrong house and falling asleep. He was reportedly found by a woman who lived there at the time of the incident. After calling police, she identified him using his driver’s license, CNN reported.

He then apologized on an analyst call, saying he was embarrassed and wanted everyone to know that he took full responsibility for his actions. He also apologized to investors and their employees.