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Walmart sues former tax head for joining Amazon

Walmart Inc. sued former tax chief Lisa Wadlin, stating that her acceptance of a job at rival Amazon.com Inc. would violate her employment agreement, Reuters reported June 7.

According to the lawsuit, Wadlin informed the company in January of her intention to resign as senior vice president and chief tax officer, but Walmart only found out that she was joining Amazon when separation papers were signed May 15, the news outlet reported.

Reuters reported that Wadlin, appointed vice president of tax and tax policy by Seattle-based Amazon, brings with her nonpublic information, including insight into Walmart's potential merger targets. Amazon could reportedly use that information to prevent Walmart's deals or force the company to pay more.

Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove told S&P Global Market Intelligence that Wadlin's acceptance of a job with Amazon would violate her noncompete clause, causing harm to Walmart.

He added that when someone becomes a senior-level executive at Walmart, they agree to forgo working for competitors with revenues in excess of $7 billion for two years after leaving the company.

"We have an obligation to protect our company, and we take that seriously," Hargrove said.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based company is seeking a court order to enforce the noncompete clause that bars her from working for a competitor, Reuters reported. Walmart also seeks to stop Wadlin from using or handing over confidential company information.

Amazon did not immediately respond to S&P Global Market Intelligence's request for comment.