Market Basket board fires Demoulas, CEO rep calls board actions ‘cover-up for a coup’

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The political drama behind the scenes at Market Basket has taken another turn, as the grocery chain’s board voted to fire their CEO Arthur T. Demoulas.

That vote followed mediation earlier this month in Delaware between Demoulas and his three sisters, who control 60 percent of the company.

The results were reportedly unanimous.

Demoulas was placed on leave back in May due to allegations he tried to lead a work stoppage.

In the aftermath, the board then fired three members who were more closely aligned with Demoulas than the rest of the board.

Justine Griffin, spokesperson for Demoulas, sent a statement to ABC6 saying Demoulas is deeply disappointed mediation failed, despite his determination to reach a resolution.

The statement reads in part:

“It became clear to us that this was not a good faith effort by the board or his sisters to reach agreement on the issues created by their abrupt actions…”

Griffin went on to say the actions by the board are “A farcical cover-up for a coup.”