Mon Nov 24 18:40:00 UTC 2025: Campbell Soup Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Executive Tirade and Retaliation

Detroit, MI – November 24, 2025 – Campbell Soup Company is embroiled in a legal battle after a former security analyst, Robert Garza, filed a lawsuit alleging he was wrongfully terminated for reporting a senior executive’s misconduct. The lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, centers around a secretly recorded tirade allegedly made by Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer Martin Bally, in which he reportedly disparaged the company’s products, customers, and employees, particularly those of Indian descent.

According to the lawsuit, Garza recorded Bally making disparaging remarks, including calling the company’s products “s**t for f***king poor people” and using offensive language towards Indian employees. The recording also allegedly captured Bally admitting to consuming marijuana edibles before coming to work.

Garza claims he reported the incident to his supervisor, J.D. Aupperle, in January 2025, but was subsequently fired just 20 days later. The lawsuit alleges that Campbell Soup Company created a racially hostile work environment and retaliated against Garza for reporting discriminatory conduct, violating Michigan state law.

Campbell Soup Company has acknowledged the allegations, stating that if the recording is legitimate, the comments are “unacceptable” and do not reflect the company’s values. A spokesperson confirmed that Bally is currently on leave while an internal investigation is conducted. The company also downplayed the significance of the statements by noting Bally’s role in IT, not food production.

Garza’s attorney, Zachary Runyan, argues that his client was fired for “sticking up for other people,” highlighting that Garza had a clean disciplinary record prior to his termination. Garza himself expressed disappointment, contrasting the alleged incident with the company’s public image of treating employees like family.

The case is now entering the discovery phase, with both sides expected to exchange evidence, including the full recording, HR documents, and witness testimonies. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for Campbell Soup Company, potentially shaping its internal policies, executive accountability and raising broader issues about corporate transparency and employee protection against retaliation.

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