Authorities search Subway pitchman Jared Fogle’s home
Published at(CNN) — Authorities on Tuesday searched an Indiana home of longtime Subway pitchman Jared Fogle in a probe the sandwich chain says may be linked to an investigation of someone who once worked for Fogle’s foundation.
Investigators removed computers from the home in Zionsville, just north of Indianapolis, after arriving at about 6 a.m., Fogle attorney Ron Elberger said, without disclosing what they were looking for.
Elberger said Fogle, the man who soared to fame 15 years ago after saying he shed more than 200 pounds in part through a Subway diet, has not been charged or arrested.
“Jared has been cooperating with law enforcement in its investigation of certain unspecified activities and looks forward to its conclusion,” the attorney said.
Tuesday’s raid comes more than two months after the executive director of the Jared Foundation — Fogle’s organization that aspires to combat childhood obesity — was arrested in Indianapolis on federal child pornography charges.
Authorities haven’t said anything linking the search at Fogle’s home to that case.
FBI Special Agent Wendy Osborne, responding to questions, said that the agency is “conducting investigative activity in the area,” but that the nature of the investigation “can’t be discussed at this time.” U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Tim Horty said he couldn’t confirm or deny an investigation.
But Subway said that it believed the search was “related to a prior investigation” of someone who used to work for Fogle’s foundation.
“We are shocked about the news and believe it (Tuesday’s search) is related to a prior investigation of a former Jared Foundation employee,” a Subway spokesman said. “We are very concerned and will be monitoring the situation closely. We don’t have any more details at this point.”
A non-uniformed man escorted Fogle from his home into a white truck parked in his driveway, video from CNN affiliate WTHR showed. The video shows gloved investigators carrying electronics from the home.
Later, WTHR reported, Fogle left the property in a car with his attorney.
Authorities have spoken to Fogle previously about the case involving his foundation’s former executive director, Elberger said.
Fogle became famous in 2000 when the sandwich chain released a commercial centered on his claims that he dropped about 245 pounds — from a peak weight of 425 — in one year as an Indiana University student, thanks in part to exercise and a simpler diet involving Subway subs.
He served as a Subway pitchman in the ensuing years. In 2013, he told CNN’s “Piers Morgan Live” that he traveled almost 200 days a year for his job with Subway, and that he still was focused on keeping weight off.
“I don’t eat (Subway) every single day anymore. (It’s) in moderation. I tell you, I kept the weight off for 15 years. I still probably average eating it three or four days a week,” he said.