Sara Lee Suspends 3 Over Ahold Allegations

Sara Lee Corp., the maker of baked goods and Ball Park hot dogs, said Monday that it suspended three salespeople the company said helped Royal Ahold’s U.S. Foodservice unit inflate revenue.

The workers certified inaccurate information Ahold had given its auditor Deloitte & Touche regarding rebates for products distributed to restaurants and cafeterias, said Sara Lee, a vendor of wholesaler U.S. Foodservice.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating how U.S. Foodservice improperly accounted for reimbursements after Ahold said results were overstated by at least $500 million in 2000 and 2001.

Sara Lee didn’t uncover the discrepancies until after being contacted by the SEC, company spokeswoman Julie Ketay said. Sara Lee said that its own financial results weren’t affected and that it was providing information in the probe.

Shares of Chicago-based Sara Lee rose 42 cents to $19.74 on the New York Stock Exchange.