Robert Garza, a former security analyst at Campbell’s Soup, has filed a lawsuit against the company for retaliation. He filed the suit in Wayne County Circuit Court in Michigan. Garza alleges wrongful termination. He claims it was in retaliation for his having blown the whistle on comments made by Martin Bally, the vice-president of information technology. The lawsuit alleges that Campbell’s maintained a racially hostile work environment and that Garza’s dismissal was a direct result of his complaints.
Garza remotely joined Campbell’s from the company’s New Jersey headquarters in September 2024. He was terminated just 20 days after a meeting with Bally to discuss the start of salary negotiations. Throughout this meeting, Garza had been clandestinely recording Bally as its CEO made grossly inappropriate comments about Campbell’s products, employees and customers. What Garza experienced immediately after that encounter was legitimate disgust. So he resolved to keep the recording private until January 2018, when he filed a report of Bally’s conduct to his supervisor, JP Aupperle.
The lawsuit details other deeply troubling comments disclosed by Bally at their July 2021 meeting. According to Garza, Bally publicly derided Campbell’s wares, saying, “We don’t have shit for fucking poor people.” He said this with real disdain and went on to say, “Who buys our shit? I don’t buy Campbell’s products hardly at all anymore.” Bally explicated the nature of food served, especially at fast-casual restaurants. He went on the record with his reluctance to eat chicken that might be “from a 3D printer.”
Bally admitted to showing up to work high off of marijuana edibles. This admission undermined the entire agency’s credibility and raised alarming questions about his professionalism and job fitness. Garza argues that these comments created a hostile and toxic work environment, which had a more severe impact on employees of color.
Garza’s attorney, Zachary Runyan, said Garza is aware of the seriousness of the allegations. The lawsuit not only seeks damages for Garza’s dismissal but aims to hold Campbell’s accountable for fostering an environment where such discriminatory comments are tolerated.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Campbell’s stated, “We use 100% real chicken in our soups,” adding that the chicken comes from USDA-approved suppliers and meets high-quality standards. The spokesperson asserted, “All of our soups are made with No Antibiotics Ever chicken meat,” and denied any claims to the contrary as “completely false.”
As Garza’s lawsuit indicates, that corporate culture was a dangerous one. It’s a reflection of all the other companies out there where employees disparage their own products in public. Recent scandals regarding workplace culture in multiple sectors have fueled public outrage. This case provides a fascinating and far-reaching new layer to the continuing and increasing discussion over corporate accountability and workplace ethics.
This lawsuit could have far-reaching effects beyond Garza’s individual case. It might inspire other staff to speak up and tell their stories. As the legal proceedings unfold, attention will remain focused on Campbell’s response to the serious allegations made against its leadership and workplace culture.