Labor & Employment

Cupertino, Calif. – Following an investigation launched in June, the European Union (EU) is reportedly formally accusing the Republic of Ireland and Apple of striking an improper deal that has kept Apple’s taxes in Ireland artificially low since 1991. According to CNN, the arrangement has allowed Apple to pay a tax rate as low as 2% on earnings of Irish subsidiary.

Birmingham, Ala. – Hibbett Sports Inc. has promoted Jared Briskin to senior VP and chief merchant. Briskin replaces Rebecca Jones, who left the company.

Briskin has been with Hibbett for more than 16 years, starting as a buyer and most recently serving as VP divisional merchandise manager of footwear and equipment.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly claiming that comedian Tracy Morgan was not wearing a seat belt when a truck driven by one of its drivers struck a vehicle Morgan was traveling in on the New Jersey Turnpike on June 7, critically injuring Morgan and killing one of his fellow passengers. According to Bloomberg, Wal-Mart said Morgan is partially or fully to blame for his injuries in a filing in federal court in Trenton, New Jersey.

Fremont, Calif. - Men's Wearhouse has named Scott Norris as Men's Wearhouse brand and Moores brand president, and Paul Fitzpatrick has been named Jos. A. Bank's brand president. In addition, Jim Thorne was named executive VP direct sourcing.

All three will report to Mary Beth Blake, the company's president and chief merchandising officer.

Hibbett Sports has promoted Jared Briskin to SVP and chief merchant. Briskin replaces Rebecca Jones, who left the company this week.

Men's Wearhouse has named Scott Norris as Men's Wearhouse brand and Moores brand president and Paul Fitzpatrick as Jos. A. Bank's brand president. Additionally, it has appointed Jim Thorne EVP of direct sourcing. All three will report to Mary Beth Blake, the company's president and chief merchandising officer.

New Albany, Ohio – A federal judge has reportedly rejected an Aug. 29 settlement of a lawsuit over the pay received by co-CEO Michael Jeffries. According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge James Graham in Columbus, Ohio, said shareholders belonging to the City of Plantation, Florida Police Officers' Employees' Retirement System, who challenged the $140 million in pay and additional travel expenses Jeffries has received since 2007, give up too much in the settlement.

Alpharetta, Ga. - McAlister's Deli has signed an agreement with new franchise group MidSouth Hospitality Inc. to open 10 locations in Middle Tennessee. Led by McAlister's veteran Charles Corley, MidSouth Hospitality will be opening its first McAlister's in early 2015.

The newly formed company plans to open a total of 10 new restaurants during the next seven years.

Los Angeles -- In its latest management shakeup, American Apparel has named Scott Brubaker as interim CEO, effective immediately. He replaces John Luttrell, who is resigning. Luttrell took the reins of the troubled company in June after the board removed controversial founder Dov Charney from the top spot for alleged misconduct. He also served as CFO.

Brubaker, 43, is a managing director at consulting/turnaround firm Alvarez & Marsal, and has handled interim leadership jobs for specialty retailers, including Eddie Bauer, in the past.

Walmart continues to deploy new capabilities through e-commerce and mobile channels — and as part of its digital agenda, the board has added Instagram CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom to its ranks.

The entrepreneur, software engineer and co-founder of photo-sharing service Instagram has become the 15th member of the board. Systrom will also serve as a member of the company’s technology and e-commerce committee and its compensation, nominating and governance committee (CNGC).