BOISE -- A state judge has ordered the former vice president of marketing at Melaleuca Inc. to return more than $240,000 after violating an agreement to not criticize the company president.
A state judge late last month ruled Jeff Wasden violated the agreement when he made written statements criticizing company president Frank VanderSloot.
According to a February 2006 agreement, Wasden agreed to receive more than $300,000 in exchange for not saying "anything negative or disparaging about Melaleuca, its policies, philosophies, products or personnel."
But Wasden sent e-mails, a letter and co-authored a statement to the Idaho Legislature calling VanderSloot hypocritical and managing by fear and intimidation.
Seventh District Judge Greg Moeller rejected Wasden's argument about the possible validity of his statements to rule that the real issue was Wasden violating the agreement.
