Goya CEO’s Status in Limbo

The future of Goya Foods CEO Robert “Bob” Unanue remains uncertain as the Hudson County-based company has yet to confirm or deny his departure. Unanue, who has been with Goya for 48 years and has served as its CEO for over two decades, stated last week that the company’s board voted on his employment, but he was not provided with details about the decision.

“After nearly five decades of service, I was informed that there had been a vote regarding my ‘employment’ as President of the company,” Unanue said. “As to the nature of the decision and the rationale behind it, I have no real answers.”

Goya Foods, one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the country, operates its headquarters and distribution facilities in Jersey City and Secaucus. The company has not publicly commented on Unanue’s employment status. However, a lawsuit filed in Bergen County by Francisco “Frankie” Unanue, a Goya board member and Bob Unanue’s cousin, alleges that Bob was removed due to financial mismanagement and improper dealings within the company’s IT department.

According to court documents, the lawsuit claims that Unanue engaged in a “clandestine agreement” with a longtime friend overseeing Goya’s IT department, resulting in significant financial losses for the company.

In a statement to CNN, a representative for Unanue dismissed the claims as “frivolous, absurd, and having absolutely no merit.” The lawsuit seeks damages and a jury trial.

Goya Foods addressed the issue on social media, stating in a tweet that the decision “has absolutely no connection to politics or media appearances” and has not affected its philanthropic initiatives, including Goya Cares and Goya Gives.

Unanue’s public profile has grown in recent years due to his political statements. In 2021, Goya’s board voted to censure him after he made controversial remarks questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 election.

Goya Foods has not announced who will lead the company moving forward.