"smart move imo.."
At this point, what else can be done? The term "backed into a corner" comes to mind...
New CEO comes in, posts the truth on all fronts (hopefully), blames the shortfalls in promise vs. reality on JD, and asks for a clean start! Buy, Sell, or Hold depends on who they can attract to take this position. If we see Harrs put there, I know that I'd take that to mean that no one else would take the job...
That said... I can assume that we need to brace ourselves for some pretty bad news...
Will JD pay back the money that he owes the company now?