The Tyson family will also face hard questions, said Joseph Grundfest, a senior faculty member in the corporate governance center at Stanford University’s law and business schools. “It’s not just the CFO who’s in trouble here; it’s also the family and their decision-making process,” Mr. Grundfest said.

Investors may inquire whether there is a serious drinking problem and if so, was the board made aware, Mr. Grundfest said. He added, “Serious institutional investors will hold the family’s feet to the fire and will be asking difficult questions.”