Fired Wal-Mart exec sued for defamation

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Irwin Jacobs, who owns Jacobs Trading Co., which does business with Wal-Mart, has filed a suit against former Wal-Mart executive, Julie Roehm, claiming the fired advertising head made false accusations about his relationship with Wal-Mart ceo Lee Scott.

According to published reports, Roehm alleged that Jacobs gave Scott discounts on diamond and yacht purchases, as well as free use of his private jets.

In his suit, Jacobs denies these charges, and said Roehm's claims were damaging to his personal reputation and that of his companies, including Jacobs Trading Co., according to reports.

The lawsuit was filed last week in Circuit Court in Benton County, Ark.

Roehm was fired from Wal-Mart for allegedly having innapropriate relations with a subordinate, as well as accepting bribes from suppliers.