Ford worker was fired over a $1.95 pack of cookies. The company later offered him $33,000 to return — but now he’s considering a lawsuit

A Ford electrician is suing the automaker after being fired over allegations that he stole cookies worth $1.95. Kurt Kromm, 60, says he worked for the company for 11 years at a Ford plant in Kentucky before he was unexpectedly terminated in May.

Initially, staff at the plant accused Kromm of stealing a packet of Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Cookies from an Aramark self-service kiosk during an overnight shift. As it later emerged, Kromm is diabetic, and during his shift, his blood sugar dropped, leaving him confused enough to buy something he didn’t need. According to The Independent, the payment terminal initially flashed red before appearing to work normally again once he used his card.

Kromm reportedly said, “I figured, well, it probably went through.” He continued, “This was so inconsequential to me — $1.95. I figured I paid.”

Kromm rejected a reinstatement letter

A week later, Kromm was told he was being fired for cause and was escorted out of the plant before he had time to investigate what was going on. Kromm later said he finally understood what he was being accused of, and he submitted a bank statement showing that he had actually paid for what he was accused of stealing. The company responded almost immediately by offering him a reinstatement letter and $33,000 in back pay.

Kromm rejected the offer and hired an attorney. “The accusation of theft made against Mr. Kromm was false, and the proof was available to both Aramark and Ford from the start,” his attorney, J. Will Huber, said. “Our investigation is ongoing, and we are exploring all available claims, including defamation.”

According to Huber, neither Ford nor Aramark has ever published a retraction to clear his client’s name, and he says that is simply unacceptable. The attorney said he intends to ensure Kromm’s case explores every legal option available.

Ford did not comment on the pending litigation, but it did release a statement about Aramark, saying, “We are aware there have been some issues raised regarding the kiosk functionality in some limited cases, and we are working with Aramark to review these situations.”

He’s disappointed with the union

Kromm was also disappointed with the United Auto Workers union. He said the union should be more involved in situations like this and protect workers like him who are being targeted because corporations are “making allegations without doing their research.” He said, “They (UAW) should be standing up and pounding on the table and saying this is unacceptable. You don’t treat people this way.”

The union did not respond to requests for comment, but it did say it would be looking into the case. Meanwhile, former Ford employee Nick Nabozny also claims he lost his job under similar circumstances after being wrongly accused of taking crackers from a similar kiosk.

It’s unclear whether Nabozny also plans to file his own lawsuit or whether he has an easily traceable paper trail like Kromm. Regardless, the case will probably take time in court and perhaps even in out-of-court negotiations.

It all now depends on what Kromm believes justice looks like.