041217 McDonald's to Spend $300,000 on Former CEODecember 4, 2004Oak Brook, IL - McDonald's Corp. has set aside more than $300,000 to help its ailing former CEO Charlie Bell return to his native Australia, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. McDonald's arranged for Bell -- who resigned two weeks ago weakened from his battle with colorectal cancer -- to fly home in a "specialized medically outfitted aircraft," according the filing. "The estimated aggregate expense associated with this arrangement is approximately $300,000," McDonald's said in the document. In addition to the plane, McDonald's agreed to buy Bell's U.S. home, ship his belongings to Australia and cover any tax liability as a result of the arrangement, the filing said. When 44-year-old Bell resigned Nov. 22, McDonald's agreed to fly Bell and his family to Australia in a McDonald's corporate plane. Two days later, the company modified the agreement to provide the medically outfitted plane. In a media conference call, successor Jim Skinner did not discuss Bell's condition. He said only that Bell had returned to Australia to be with friends and family. Bell served and president and CEO of McDonald's for nine months. During that time he underwent two cancer surgeries -- one in May and another in August. He was diagnosed with cancer just weeks after taking the top job in April.
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