A senior executive at a major food corporation has been placed on temporary leave following allegations that he made disparaging remarks about the company’s products and employees. The accusations are detailed in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former employee.
The legal complaint, submitted last week in a Michigan court, was brought by Robert Garza, a former security analyst. Garza claims he was dismissed from his position after reporting inappropriate conduct by Martin Bally, a vice-president of information technology.
According to the lawsuit, a meeting in November 2024, initially intended to discuss salary, devolved into an extended monologue by the executive. Garza alleges that during this encounter, Bally criticized the quality of the company’s food offerings, made racially charged statements about colleagues of Indian heritage, and admitted to consuming marijuana edibles before work.
Garza reportedly recorded the conversation, sensing that the discussion had taken an improper turn. In the audio, a voice is heard referring to the company’s products with an expletive and describing its customers in derogatory terms. The same voice also expressed disdain for the ingredients used, making unfounded claims about the nature of the meat.
The plaintiff states that he reported the executive’s behavior to a supervisor in January, believing it created a hostile work environment. He was terminated approximately three weeks later, an action his legal counsel describes as retaliatory. Garza alleges the company failed to adequately investigate his complaint.
The corporation has issued a statement confirming it is investigating the allegations. It stated that the comments, if verified, are unacceptable and do not reflect the company’s values. The executive in question has not made a public statement regarding the lawsuit.
In a separate communication, the company also refuted the ingredient claims made in the recording, asserting that it uses 100% real chicken from approved suppliers.
The case recalls other instances where company representatives have publicly criticized their own products, a move that has historically damaged corporate reputation and consumer trust.
