Call it the Strange Case of the Anonymous CEO Web Postings.  A court filing by the Federal Trade Commission has revealed that for years always-outspoken Whole Foods CEO John Mackey added his "two cents" to Yahoo's message board about the company's stock.  Posting under the name "rahodeb" to keep his real identity secret, Mackey talked up Whole Foods and his own leadership while liberally trashing competitor Wild Oats.

Now the FTC is using some of those postings in its effort to show Mackey is trying to illegally stifle competition through his proposed acquisition of Wild Oats. 

On the Whole Foods web site today, Mackey defends himself, saying he posted anonymously because it was "fun" and that rahodeb's postings "do not represent any official beliefs, policies, or intentions by either Whole Foods Market or me."

But some critics say Mackey showed poor judgment, at least, and may have jeopardized the company's reputation and the Wild Oats Deal.  And late Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported the SEC has begun an informal inquiry into the postings.

The Heat asks: Is it wrong for a CEO to post anonymously on the Internet?

Here you can find the facts and opinions you need to make up your own mind . . . and tell us what you think.

News: SEC Examines Whole Foods CEO's Chat Room Exploits: WSJ (July 13)

More Top Stories

Obama Calls on Democrats to Pass Health Care Bill

Obama Close to Health Law Success That Eluded Past

Week Ahead: Health Care Could Temporarily Bruise Stocks

Health-Care Tax Hikes Have Investors Feeling a Little Sick

Bernanke: Keep Fed as Watchdog of Small US Banks

More Top Stories