Forbes Chief Content Officer Randall Lane fired over $6M payment

Forbes chief content officer Randall Lane has been fired following the discovery of a secret payment totaling approximately $6 million. The payment was reportedly made by the founder of a firm that conducts business with the magazine.

The funds originated from RJ Shook, the founder of Shook Research, after he sold a majority stake in the firm to the private equity company PPC Enterprises last August. Shook Research works with Forbes to publish wealth adviser rankings.

Lane had previously gained notoriety for his stance against companies that hired former employees of Donald Trump, threatening to label such firms as sources of disinformation. His dismissal follows the internal discovery of the undisclosed financial transaction.