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Subway speaks out after spokesman Jared Fogle’s home searched in child pornography investigation

Posted at 12:28 PM, Jul 07, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-07 13:00:42-04

ZIONSVILLE, Indiana -- Subway on Tuesday afternoon released the following statement regarding authorities' search at a home owned by Jared Fogle: "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."

Investigators converged on a home in Indiana owned by longtime Subway spokesman Jared Fogle on Tuesday in a probe that authorities have declined to discuss publicly.

CNN affiliates WTHR and WXIN recorded video of investigators outside a home in Zionsville, just north of Indianapolis. Records from the Boone County treasurer's office show Fogle owns the property.

FBI Special Agent Wendy Osborne said the agency is "conducting investigative activity in the area," but she didn't confirm it was at Fogle's home.

The nature of the investigation "can't be discussed at this time," she said.

U.S. Attorney's office spokesman Tim Horty said he couldn't confirm or deny an investigation. Calls to Subway were not immediately returned.

WTHR's video showed Fogle being escorted from his home into a white box truck parked in his driveway. The video also shows gloved investigators carrying electronics from the home.

Tuesday's raid comes more than two months after the executive director of the Jared Foundation -- Fogle's foundation aimed at combating childhood obesity -- was arrested on federal child pornography charges.

Authorities haven't said anything linking Tuesday's search at Fogle's home to that case.

Fogle soared to fame in 2000 when the sandwich chain released a commercial centered on his claims that he lost about 245 pounds in a year as an Indiana University student, thanks in part to exercise and a simpler diet involving Subway subs.

He served as a Subway spokesman in ensuing years. In 2013, he told CNN's "Piers Morgan Live" that he traveled almost 200 days a year for his job with Subway, and that he still was focused on keeping weight off.

"I don't eat (Subway) every single day anymore. (It's) in moderation. I tell you, I kept the weight off for 15 years. I still probably average eating it three or four days a week," he said.

CNN's Rashard Rose contributed to this report.