Newman's Own Foundation CEO Fired Over Harassment Claims

WESTPORT, CT — Bob Forrester, one of the early employees of the charity organization more than 30 years ago, has been fired as President and CEO of Newman's Own Foundation, the renowned charity organization created by the late actor Paul Newman.

According to a statement sent to Patch and other media outlets from Jan Schaefer, spokesperson for the Westport-based foundation, Forrester was relieved of his duties due to "unacceptable behavior" toward some employees.

"An Independent Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Newman's Own Foundation removed President and CEO Bob Forrester from his role with the Foundation," Schaefer stated. "Concurrently, the Committee appointed Jennifer Smith Turner as President and CEO on an interim basis.

"The Special Committee promptly took action after an independent investigation into allegations brought forward by employees regarding their experiences working at the Foundation. They are firm in the commitment to uphold the values and culture that Paul Newman established when he founded Newman's Own and Newman's Own Foundation, and there is no tolerance for unacceptable behavior."

Details of the behavior that led to Forrester's dismissal were not disclosed.

According to the New York Post, which was first in reporting the firing, Forrester was dismissed after the company investigation which began with a claim of harassment by a female employee. That initial claim and investigation revealed additional complaints about Forrester's inappropriate behavior.

Following Newman's passing in 2008, Forrester became President and CEO of the foundation, helping the organization to increase the number of food products it sells and donate more than half a billion dollars to charity.