Maurice Boscorelli
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Restaurant chain Subway announced Tuesday it suspended its relationship with spokesman Jared Fogle after state and federal authorities descended on the pitchman's home, just two months after the former director of his charitable foundation was arrested on child pornography charges.
According to a statement released by the company, both sides agreed that suspending the relationship was “the appropriate step to take,” adding that Fogle continues to cooperate with authorities and expects "no actions forthcoming."
The company had removed references to Fogle from its website by late afternoon Tuesday.
Fogle, 37, who became the sandwich chain’s spokesman in 2000 after losing weight as a freshman at Indiana University by eating an all-Subway diet, lives in the Indianapolis suburb of Zionsville. Authorities did not say if Tuesday’s search warrants were connected to the arrest of his former associate.
Investigators from the FBI, State Police and Postal Service arrived early Tuesday morning at Fogle's home, where an evidence truck was parked in the driveway, according to the Indianapolis Star. The newspaper reported that electronics were taken from Fogle's home and analyzed in the truck. Fogle, who could not be reached for comment, was home during the search and was seen entering and leaving the evidence truck.
Officials at Subway's Milford, Conn., corporate headquarters issued a statement expressing shock about the search.
“We are shocked about the news and believe it is related to a prior investigation of a former Jared Foundation employee," the statement read. "We are very concerned and will be monitoring the situation closely. We don’t have any more details at this point.”
Fogel's attorney, Ronald Elberger, told FoxNews.com his client has not been charged with any crime or offense, and is not aware of what authorities were seeking.
"Jared has been cooperating, and continues to cooperate, with law enforcement in its investigation of certain unspecified activities and looks forward to its conclusion," Elberger said.
The development comes two months after Russell Taylor, the former executive director of the Jared Foundation, which Fogle started to raise awareness to and combat childhood obesity, was arrested on federal child pornography charges. Taylor, 43, attempted suicide on May 6 at the Marion County Jail, and was placed on life support, but his health has improved, according to officials.
Taylor faces seven counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in a case that began when a woman he had been emailing alerted authorities to Taylor's offer to show her images of children.
After Taylor's arrest, Fogle issued a statement that said he was "shocked" over the allegations and that the foundation was "severing all ties" with Taylor.
Fogle, who once weighed 425 pounds but now claims to maintain a weight of 190, has taped more than 300 commercials for the food chain. He makes appearances around the country on its behalf, as well as giving speeches on the benefits of eating healthy.
Early commercials featured Fogle slipping into the 62-inch waist pants he wore when he was obese, and before he began eating turkey and veggie subs exclusively at the Bloomington, Ind., Subway near the school's campus.
His former roommate, Ryan Coleman, brought attention to Fogle's diet success in an article for the school newspaper that got the attention of the restaurant chain.
Let's see how Subway tries to spin this one.
According to a statement released by the company, both sides agreed that suspending the relationship was “the appropriate step to take,” adding that Fogle continues to cooperate with authorities and expects "no actions forthcoming."
The company had removed references to Fogle from its website by late afternoon Tuesday.
Fogle, 37, who became the sandwich chain’s spokesman in 2000 after losing weight as a freshman at Indiana University by eating an all-Subway diet, lives in the Indianapolis suburb of Zionsville. Authorities did not say if Tuesday’s search warrants were connected to the arrest of his former associate.
Investigators from the FBI, State Police and Postal Service arrived early Tuesday morning at Fogle's home, where an evidence truck was parked in the driveway, according to the Indianapolis Star. The newspaper reported that electronics were taken from Fogle's home and analyzed in the truck. Fogle, who could not be reached for comment, was home during the search and was seen entering and leaving the evidence truck.
“We are shocked about the news and believe it is related to a prior investigation of a former Jared Foundation employee."
- Statement from Subway
The FBI and Indiana State Police were on the scene Tuesday morning, Fox59 first reported. FBI spokeswoman Wendy Osborne confirmed that the agency was conducting a criminal investigation, but declined further comment.- Statement from Subway
Officials at Subway's Milford, Conn., corporate headquarters issued a statement expressing shock about the search.
“We are shocked about the news and believe it is related to a prior investigation of a former Jared Foundation employee," the statement read. "We are very concerned and will be monitoring the situation closely. We don’t have any more details at this point.”
Fogel's attorney, Ronald Elberger, told FoxNews.com his client has not been charged with any crime or offense, and is not aware of what authorities were seeking.
"Jared has been cooperating, and continues to cooperate, with law enforcement in its investigation of certain unspecified activities and looks forward to its conclusion," Elberger said.
The development comes two months after Russell Taylor, the former executive director of the Jared Foundation, which Fogle started to raise awareness to and combat childhood obesity, was arrested on federal child pornography charges. Taylor, 43, attempted suicide on May 6 at the Marion County Jail, and was placed on life support, but his health has improved, according to officials.
Taylor faces seven counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in a case that began when a woman he had been emailing alerted authorities to Taylor's offer to show her images of children.
After Taylor's arrest, Fogle issued a statement that said he was "shocked" over the allegations and that the foundation was "severing all ties" with Taylor.
Fogle, who once weighed 425 pounds but now claims to maintain a weight of 190, has taped more than 300 commercials for the food chain. He makes appearances around the country on its behalf, as well as giving speeches on the benefits of eating healthy.
Early commercials featured Fogle slipping into the 62-inch waist pants he wore when he was obese, and before he began eating turkey and veggie subs exclusively at the Bloomington, Ind., Subway near the school's campus.
His former roommate, Ryan Coleman, brought attention to Fogle's diet success in an article for the school newspaper that got the attention of the restaurant chain.
Let's see how Subway tries to spin this one.
