Former Wal-Mart executive is sued

Minnesota businessman Irwin Jacobs has sued Julie Roehm, the marketing specialist whom Wal-Mart Stores Inc. fired for alleged conflicts of interest, for defamation.

Roehm had claimed in a federal court filing in Michigan that Jacobs had offered special deals to Wal-Mart Chief Executive H. Lee Scott Jr., including yachts and a diamond at reduced rates.

Wal-Mart fired Roehm in December. Roehm then sued the Bentonville, Ark., retailer, claiming breach of contract and fraud. Wal-Mart countersued in March, accusing Roehm of taking gifts from an advertising agency she had hired and of having an affair with a subordinate.