Wal-Mart sues former vice-chairman

SUPERMARKET giant Wal-Mart is suing its former vice-chairman Tom Coughlin, one of the leading Irish American businessmen, for allegedly abusing his expense account.

Mr Coughlin, a second generation Irish American, is accused of a five-year $500,000 spending spree, splashing out on underwear, food for his pets and Celine Dion CDs. Wal-Mart, the world’s biggest company by turnover, is seeking $5 million in compensation from Mr Coughlin - who earned three times that amount over two years.

A 124-page lawsuit filed in the US court said Mr Coughlin, 57, and “a group of carefully loyal subordinates” misappropriated “hundreds of thousands of dollars and property for his personal benefit.”