Questions about top Berkshire exec's exit linger

By JOSH FUNK AP Business Writer

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Warren Buffett will face tough questions about former Berkshire Hathaway executive David Sokol at this weekend's shareholders meeting. The company issued a report this week that said the former top executive violated the company's ethics policies.

Some shareholders say Sokol's purchase of Lubrizol stock shortly before he recommended Berkshire buy the chemical company highlights a weakness in Berkshire's highly decentralized business model.

The situation is likely to overshadow other topics at the meeting. That means discussion about the health of Berkshire's 80-odd subsidiaries or the merits of the $9 billion Lubrizol deal might be limited.

One topic that is still sure to come up: succession planning. Sokol was considered a top contender to succeed the 80-year-old Buffett as CEO.