RJR Nabisco Chief Executive F. Ross Johnson,...

RJR Nabisco Chief Executive F. Ross Johnson, who triggered the multibillion-dollar buyout battle for firm, last week sold 60,000 common shares of RJR stock for nearly $5.5 million, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The sale came about a week after RJR directors rejected the buyout bid from a management group led by Johnson in favor of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.’s record $24.53-billion takeover offer. The one-page SEC filing said the shares had belonged to Johnson’s wife, Laurie, but could be considered beneficially owned by him. They were sold in the open market on Dec. 7 for $91 each, or $5.46 million, the filing said.