Campbell’s has placed Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer Martin Bally on temporary leave as the company investigates a recent scandal. This decision, announced on Tuesday, follows the release of audio recordings by former employee Robert Garza, which sparked controversy last week. Garza filed a whistleblower lawsuit in Michigan, alleging wrongful termination just two days before the audio was made public.

The controversy began when Garza shared recordings with media outlets, including a local Detroit affiliate. The audio, recorded during a meeting in November, features Bally making disparaging remarks about the company’s products and employees. Garza stated he recorded the conversation because he felt “something wasn’t right” with Bally. In the recording, a voice, purported to be Bally's, expresses disdain for the company’s customer base and questions the healthiness of its products, claiming they contain "bioengineered meat". The voice also makes derogatory comments about Indian employees.

Garza's lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, claims he reported Bally's comments to his supervisor, JP Aupperle, in January. He alleges that he was fired shortly after raising his concerns. The lawsuit accuses Bally, Aupperle, and Campbell’s of creating a racially hostile work environment. Garza's attorney, Zach Runyan, stated, "This situation has been very hard on Robert. He thought Campbell’s would be thankful that he reported Martin’s behavior, but instead he was abruptly fired."

The lawsuit also claims that Bally frequently came to work under the influence of marijuana edibles. Garza is seeking compensation for legal fees, economic damages, and other unspecified damages.

In response to the allegations, Campbell’s issued a statement condemning the comments attributed to Bally, stating, "Such language does not reflect our values and the culture of our company. We do not tolerate that kind of language under any circumstances." The company defended the quality of its products, asserting that the chicken used in its soups comes from USDA-approved suppliers and meets high standards. They emphasized that Bally's role in the IT division does not involve food production.

Additionally, a spokesperson for Campbell’s noted that Garza, who had been with the company for less than five months, was terminated for valid reasons. The investigation into the matter is ongoing as the company seeks to address the allegations and uphold its corporate values.