<p>Friedmans Inc. named Richard Cartoon chief financial officer, replacing Victor Suglia who resigned in the wake of fraud allegations from the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission.</p><p>Suglia, whos resignation was effective immediately, was placed on administrative leave in November following the federal probe.</p><p>In a press release Friday, the retail jewelry chain said Cartoon was chief financial officer and executive vice president of the hotel operator Lodgian Inc. Earlier this month, he was named interim financial consultant as part of the newly formed office of the chairman.</p><p>The office was formed after Chief Executive Bradley Stinn resigned earlier this month amid the fraud allegations. Friedmans hasnt yet named a replacement for Stinn.</p><p>Friedmans is restating results for fiscal 2000 through the first part of 2003 over questions on its allowance for doubtful accounts.</p>
