NEW YORK -- Subway on Friday night denied knowing former pitchman Jared Fogle was a pedophile.
The sandwich chain said it had “no record” of complaints two women say they made informing the company that its spokesman was engaging in sexual acts with minors or viewing child pornography. Fogle pleaded guilty this week to both charges.
“When we first heard about an alleged complaint being made to the company about Jared Fogle, we immediately investigated and found no record that this was ever brought to our attention,” a Subway spokeswoman told The Huffington Post in an email. “When we heard about the possibility of a second complainant, we began an investigation that is ongoing.”
Florida journalist Rochelle Herman-Walrond told Gawker on Friday that she tipped off the FBI after Fogle made sexual comments about her two young children. CNN reported the U.S. Attorney's Office in Indianapolis, where Fogle was based, said Herman's information was part of the federal investigation. Walrond also told Gawker she complained about Fogle to Subway through the company's website, but never got a response.
Last month, Business Insider reported that Fogle solicited sex with minors, and texted a friend to boast about a sexual encounter with a 16-year-old escort.
Fogle, 37, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and multiple counts of sex with a minor earlier this week.
Subway distanced itself from Fogle after the head of his charitable foundation was arrested on child pornography charges. The company this week fired Fogle in anticipation of his guilty plea.
Sales at the Subway, which is privately held, fell 3 percent in the U.S. last year.