Earlier this month, we shared the story of 60-year-old Kurt Kromm, a Ford Kentucky Truck Plant employee who lost his job after the automaker accused him of stealing a $1.95 cookie from a kiosk.
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The company used video footage to argue that he didn't pay for the cookie. He recalled thinking, "I earned over $200,000 last year. Why would I steal?"
Those allegations were ultimately proven false after Kromm showed the transaction had gone through. Ford then offered to reinstate the electrician and pay him around $33,000 in back wages. Kromm turned it down. He is now suing the automaker and Aramark, which operates the kiosk that sold the cookie.
Kromm Said Ford Labeled Him a Thief
As reported by the New York Post, Kromm has retained attorney J. Will Huber to litigate his case.
"I can't come back to a company that just fired me like this and not give me any chance to show I paid," said Kromm.
Meanwhile, Huber says he is planning to send a demand letter to Ford and Aramark this week.
"The accusations of theft made against him were absolutely false," Huber said in a statement. "The proof of his innocence was available to or in the possession of both Aramark and Ford from the very start."
Huber added that while Kromm paid, he was labeled "a thief and removed from the plant he devoted 11 years of his career to." The lawyer said the company's handling of the situation was "unacceptable."
Huber points out that the facts of Kromm's case "give rise to substantial legal claims" that his client will pursue "to the fullest extent of the law."
Ford Has Responded to the Lawsuit
When asked to comment on the case, a spokesperson for Ford said they do not comment on pending litigation.
They added, "We are working to review the limited instances where Aramark kiosk issues have been raised."
Aramark shared a similar statement, adding that it remains "focused on operating with integrity and accountability."
Still, experts believe that because Ford worked to rectify the situation, Kromm might not have much of a case.
