The plot continues to thicken in the story surrounding this week’s sudden departure of Best Buy CEO Brian “I Like My Burgers Well” Dunn. As some had suspected when he stepped down on Tuesday under the cloud of a “personal conduct” probe, new reports claim that the 28-year Best Buy vet was being investigated for possibly misusing company assets while involved in a relationship with a female employee of the electronics retail chain.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune was the first to report that 51-year-old Dunn, who stepped into the CEO role nearly three years ago, had “acted inappropriately” with a 29-year-old employee who was identified by the Wall Street Journal as a working in the leadership training institute at Best Buy HQ.

The Star-Tribune gave Best Buy the opportunity to deny its source’s claims, but a spokesman for the retailer only said, “the investigation is ongoing. We have no additional comment at this time.”

The Wall Street Journal attempted to speak to the woman, saying that her Facebook page still listed her as a Best Buy staffer. When they were unsuccessful, the paper says it did find someone close to her that said the situation was “something small that people blew out of proportion.”

Even so, Dunn’s quickie exit is reminiscent of the 2010 departure of HP CEO Mark Hurd, who is alleged to have used company funds in an attempt to woo a former reality show star that he had hired to host events for company executives.

Best Buy Probes CEO Relationship [WSJ.com]

Best Buy board investigating Dunn’s conduct with female staffer [StarTribune.com]

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