Unilever and Magnum Face Defamation Lawsuit Over Ben & Jerry's Board Chair Dismissal - EconoTimes

Former Ben & Jerry's board chair Anuradha Mittal has filed a defamation lawsuit against Unilever and Magnum, claiming they intentionally harmed her reputation following her public support for Palestinian rights and a Gaza ceasefire. The lawsuit, filed in California, alleges that after the announcement of Magnum’s spinoff in March 2024, the companies spread false accusations against Mittal, including claims of self-dealing and misuse of funds. Mittal denies these allegations, stating they were a calculated effort to discredit her and led to her removal as board chair in December.

Both Unilever and Magnum have refuted the claims, asserting their confidence in a favorable legal outcome. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, alleging actual malice on the part of the defendants. This dispute stems from a 2021 decision by Ben & Jerry's to halt sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which strained its relationship with Unilever.

Further complicating matters, Ben & Jerry's filed its own lawsuit against Unilever in November 2024, accusing the parent company of attempting to undermine its independent board and suppress its activism, with the Ben & Jerry's Foundation later joining as a co-plaintiff. Mittal emphasizes that the case is not merely about corporate governance but about protecting the right to advocate for social justice without fear of corporate retribution.

(Source：Econotimes)