Berkshire Severs Ties With Consultant

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. severed its remaining ties with a former chief executive of its General Re Corp. subsidiary after he invoked the 5th Amendment during questioning by federal officials Friday.

Ronald E. Ferguson had been a consultant for General Re and other Berkshire affiliates since stepping down as the reinsurance company's CEO in 2001, Berkshire Hathaway said.

The holding company headed by billionaire Warren Buffett announced it had terminated Ferguson's consulting services Friday after he was questioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.