Campbell’s Executive Accused of Mocking Company Products in Recording, Lawsuit Alleges
After a former employee said he was fired for reporting startling remarks by a top executive, Campbell Soup Company is under severe scrutiny in a new lawsuit. The CEO was accused of mocking Campbell’s products and making inappropriate statements about coworkers in a tape.
Robert Garza, a Michigan cybersecurity specialist who worked remotely for the corporation until earlier this year, filed the claim. Garza recorded Campbell’s vice president and top security officer, Martin Bally, disparaging coworkers and making nasty comments about the soups, according to the complaint. Within a month of reporting the remarks to leadership, Garza was fired.
The lawsuit claims Bally vulgarly criticized the brand’s well-known items, asking who would buy its soups and saying he seldom eats them. Garza’s complaint also claims that Bally mocked specific products’ components, implying he didn’t trust the food’s quality despite being a top executive.
The lawsuit also claims that Bally insulted Indian coworkers and showed up to work high on marijuana treats. These allegations have raised major questions about leadership at one of America’s most prominent food firms.
Campbell’s replied strongly, saying the executive is in IT and not involved in food research or manufacturing. Bally is on leave during an internal inquiry, the company said. Campbell uses real chicken from reputable, licensed U.S. suppliers and follows strict quality requirements, according to a spokeswoman.
Garza’s lawyers claim he suffered emotional, reputational, and financial injury after losing his job. They want compensation for Garza’s claimed retribution, stating he should have been protected for reporting the incident.
It has also garnered political attention. Following the complaint, Florida’s attorney general said consumer protection officials will investigate Campbell’s product quality claims and sought clarity from the firm. The assertions made by Bally about Campbell’s food are false, according to Campbell’s.
Campbell’s faces rising pressure to be transparent in its probe and ensure consumers that its quality reputation remains intact. The lawsuit has raised questions about corporate culture, internal responsibility, and whistleblower treatment in large U.S. firms.
Sources
Statements and information referenced from court filings, company communications, and public official comments.
