Campbell’s Exec Faces Suit Over ‘Poor People’ Slur

A senior executive at Campbell’s Soup Company has been placed on temporary leave amidst a wrongful termination lawsuit that claims he disparaged the firm’s iconic products as “shit for fucking poor people.” The controversial remark was purportedly captured in an audio recording, now a central piece of evidence in the legal challenge.

The lawsuit, initiated last Thursday in Michigan’s Wayne County Circuit Court, was filed by Robert Garza, a former security analyst. Garza, who began working remotely for Campbell’s New Jersey headquarters in September 2024, alleges his dismissal in January stemmed directly from his decision to report concerning statements made by Martin Bally, Campbell’s Vice President of Information Technology.

Allegations of Racist Tirades and Product Disparagement

Garza’s complaint details a meeting in November 2024, initially scheduled to discuss his salary with Bally. However, the plaintiff asserts the encounter devolved into an hour-long tirade by Bally. During this alleged rant, Bally not only criticized the quality of Campbell’s products and its customer base but also reportedly made racist comments targeting Indian employees and admitted to consuming marijuana edibles before work.

Sensing that “something wasn’t right” during the meeting, Garza began recording the conversation. These audio files, later reviewed by the Michigan news outlet WDIV, reportedly contain a voice identified as Bally’s making several inflammatory statements. Among them, the voice is heard declaring, “We have shit for fucking poor people.”

The recording continues with the voice adding, “Who buys our shit? I don’t buy Campbell’s products barely any more. It’s not healthy now that I know what the fuck’s in it … bioengineered meat.” The voice further stated, “I don’t wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer,” allegedly in reference to a Campbell’s ingredient.

Racist Remarks and Subsequent Termination

The lawsuit also highlights Bally’s alleged racist comments directed at employees of Indian heritage. The audio purportedly captures the voice saying, “Fucking Indians don’t know a fucking thing … Like they couldn’t think for their fucking selves.”

Garza claims he experienced “pure disgust” following the November meeting. He kept the audio recordings private until January when he formally reported Bally’s behavior to his supervisor, JP Aupperle. According to WDIV, Garza was terminated from his position at Campbell’s just 20 days later, without any prior disciplinary actions on his record.

The legal action casts a shadow over the corporate culture at the venerable soup company, bringing to light serious allegations of executive misconduct, including product disparagement, racist remarks, and potential drug use during working hours. Campbell’s Soup Company has not yet publicly commented on the specifics of the lawsuit, beyond confirming Bally’s temporary leave. The case is expected to proceed in the Wayne County Circuit Court, potentially revealing further details as discovery progresses.

Source: The Guardian