Ray Stubblebine/Subway/Reuters
Subway and Jared Fogle have "agreed to mutually suspend" their relationship following an early-morning raid by the FBI and Indiana law enforcement Tuesday on the long-time spokesman's home as part of a child-pornography investigation. Fogle rose to national fame in the 1990s after losing 235 pounds through exercise while eating Subway’s food. He was quickly picked up as a spokesman for the sandwich chain and started the Jared Foundation to teach kids about the importance of healthy eating and exercise. Fogle waited in a forensics van while his home was searched, according to reporters on the scene.
Fogle's attorney, Ron Elberger, issued a statement Tuesday afternoon, saying, "Jared has been cooperating, and continues to cooperate, with law enforcement in their investigation of unspecified charges, and looks forward to its conclusion."
Subway also issued a statement, saying, "We are shocked about the news and believe it is related to a prior investigation of a former Jared Foundation employee. We are very concerned and will be monitoring the situation closely. We don't have any more details at this point." However, the chain still pulled the "Jared's Journey" section from its website, which had previously contained interviews, games, and a rundown of Fogle's weight loss experience.
In April, Russell Taylor, the former executive director of the Jared Foundation, was arrested on seven counts of production of child pornography and one count of posessing child porn. Taylor, 43, attempted suicide while in jail. Fogle was reportedly detained but not arrested; Fogle hasn’t been accused or charged of a crime. After the arrest, Fogle said he was severing ties with Taylor, and that he was “shocked” by the allegations.