Ex-Kohl’s CEO posted LinkedIn video of lover 3 months before scandal broke: ‘No wonder you got exposed’

New York Post - May 2nd, 2025
Open on New York Post

Kohl's CEO Ashley Buchanan was ousted following revelations of a scandal involving a controversial multimillion-dollar contract tied to his romantic involvement with Chandra Holt, a consulting advisor for Boston Consulting Group. The situation escalated after Buchanan posted a LinkedIn video featuring Holt promoting her coffee startup, which stirred industry gossip. Buchanan was fired for cause, and Holt was also terminated from her role at BCG. This rapid action by Kohl's indicates a swift response to the breach of conduct, including potential undisclosed 'related party' conflicts of interest that Buchanan might have violated.

The context of this scandal highlights the complexity and risks associated with mixing personal and professional lives, especially at high executive levels. Both Buchanan and Holt had a history of working together at Walmart, and their undisclosed relationship has raised questions about transparency and ethics in corporate governance. The incident underscores the importance of adhering to conflicts of interest policies, with implications potentially extending into legal ramifications for the involved parties. This case serves as a cautionary tale for corporate leaders and organizations regarding the necessity for clear boundaries and disclosures in professional settings.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.8
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a compelling narrative that combines elements of corporate governance, personal relationships, and potential legal issues. Its strengths lie in its timeliness and ability to engage readers with a story that has both personal and professional dimensions. The inclusion of industry insider perspectives and legal analysis adds depth, though the lack of direct quotes from primary sources limits the story's factual accuracy and balance.

While the article effectively highlights issues of public interest, such as corporate ethics and accountability, its impact is somewhat constrained by the focus on sensational aspects over comprehensive analysis. The story's clarity and readability are generally strong, but a more organized presentation of information would enhance understanding. Overall, the article raises important questions about corporate governance, though it requires further evidence and perspectives to fully inform readers.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that are partially verifiable. For instance, the article claims Ashley Buchanan was ousted as CEO of Kohl's due to a 'highly unusual multimillion-dollar contract' involving Chandra Holt. This claim requires further verification from official statements or documents from Kohl's. The article also states that Buchanan posted a LinkedIn video promoting Holt's coffee startup, which can be verified by checking LinkedIn records. However, the story lacks precise details about the contract's nature and the specific reasons Kohl's terminated Buchanan, which diminishes its factual accuracy.

The article also claims that Buchanan and Holt have a personal relationship and live together, citing a Wall Street Journal report. While this adds depth, it necessitates cross-verification with the mentioned source. The potential legal implications, such as violating the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, are speculative and need expert legal analysis to confirm. Overall, while the story is grounded in some verifiable facts, it leaves significant gaps that require further evidence and verification.

5
Balance

The story primarily focuses on the perspectives of Ashley Buchanan's termination and the implications of his relationship with Chandra Holt. It presents the viewpoints of industry insiders and a former federal prosecutor, which adds some depth. However, it lacks direct input from Buchanan, Holt, or Kohl's, which could provide a more balanced view.

The article tends to emphasize the sensational aspects of the story, such as the personal relationship and the LinkedIn post, over the business and legal implications. This focus may skew the reader's perception towards the more scandalous elements, potentially overshadowing the business-related aspects of the story. Including more diverse perspectives, such as statements from Kohl's or BCG, would enhance the balance and provide a fuller picture.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it relatively easy to follow. It provides a narrative that connects the personal and professional aspects of the story, maintaining reader interest.

However, the article occasionally jumps between different elements, such as the LinkedIn post, the contract, and the personal relationship, which can disrupt the flow. A more organized presentation of facts, perhaps by separating the personal and business aspects more distinctly, would enhance clarity. Despite this, the language remains neutral, and the tone is appropriate for a news article.

6
Source quality

The article references a Wall Street Journal report and includes comments from a former federal prosecutor, which are credible sources. However, it lacks direct quotes or statements from primary parties involved, such as Ashley Buchanan, Chandra Holt, or representatives from Kohl's and BCG.

The reliance on unnamed industry insiders and the absence of direct sources from the companies involved weakens the overall source quality. While the article does cite a reputable legal expert, the lack of direct attribution from primary sources leaves some claims unsubstantiated. This affects the reliability of the information presented.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context about the events leading to Buchanan's termination and the relationship between him and Holt. However, it lacks transparency in its sourcing, as it does not specify the origins of some claims or provide direct evidence for certain assertions, such as the LinkedIn post.

The lack of direct quotes from Buchanan, Holt, or official statements from Kohl's and BCG limits the transparency of the article. The story could benefit from a clearer explanation of how the information was obtained and any conflicts of interest that may affect the reporting. This would help readers better understand the basis of the claims made.

Sources

  1. https://investors.kohls.com/news/news-details/2025/Kohls-Announces-CEO-Transition-Process/default.aspx
  2. https://8kun.top/qresearch/res/22981806.html
  3. https://8kun.top/qresearch/res/22981110.html