Appleton terminated the employment of Dale Parker, the company’s former chief financial officer. Parker’s departure from Appleton resulted from recommendations made by the audit committee of Paperweight Development Corp., Appleton’s parent company, as part of an independent review of issues concerning travel and expense reimbursements, gifts to certain employees and related record-keeping practices.

The audit committee’s conclusions alleged that Parker intentionally submitted or approved travel and expense reports which misrepresented as business expenses certain expenses which were actually personal in nature. The expenses involved were not material amounts and were allegedly incurred as approved gifts from the company. While the misreporting had no material effect on Appleton’s financial results or financial statements for any period, Parker’s actions violated Appleton’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics as well as the company’s Travel and Expense Reporting policy.

“Integrity must be a value each of us lives every day; not just a topic for discussion when something goes wrong. We have many great plans for the  growth and success of our company, but nothing is more important than pursuing and achieving those goals with the highest integrity,” said Mark Richards, Appleton’s CEO. “That’s the only way we will do business.”

Parker had been placed on indefinite paid administrative leave by the company on May 11, 2006, and was removed as a director of the company pending the outcome of the review. At the same time, Appleton’s board of directors named Richards as interim CFO.
Richards will continue to serve in both capacities until the company names a new CFO. www.appletonideas.com. PI