TWO BLUE BELL SHAREHOLDERS FILE LAWSUITS

  

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that a pair of Blue Bell Creameries shareholders have filed lawsuits alleging mismanagement by Blue Bell executives and the company’s board of directors.

Mary Giddings Wenske of Brenham and Jack L. Marchand II of Corpus Christi have both filed lawsuits against Blue Bell Creameries, which has its headquarters and main plant in Brenham.  Both lawsuits claim that Blue Bell and its executives breached their fiduciary duties by letting sanitation problems continue, leading to a listeria outbreak two years ago.  Wenske and Marchand both contend that the listeria contamination damaged the company’s finances and brand, reducing the value of the stock they own.

According to the Chronicle, Wenske’s lawsuit alleges that Blue Bell, its executives and board members “willfully disregarded their obligation to run Blue Bell’s plants to sound industry standards.”  It says that prior to the 2015 recalls, “unsanitary practices and conditions were rampant” within the company’s facilities.

Wenske owns one Blue Bell limited partnership share, and is trustee of a trust that owns an unspecified number of shares.  Marchand owns 29 shares of Blue Bell stock.

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19 Comments

  1. Please note how this “lawsuit” was filed almost precisely two years after the event, this was timed to avoid the statute of limitations on a countersuit by other Blue Bell shareholders who will suffer loses because of the selfish actions of these to opportunists. What a shame! Blue Bell has always been a community oriented company that has provided a great product, employment for hundreds in our community, and many gifts to our town and it’s organizations. Shame on these two people, I hope the get nothing from this and that their legal fees cost them a fortune!

  2. I am grateful to both of these people for having the financial means & mental acuity to address this issue as this effort is a means of “holding the company’s feet to the fire” to help insure this won’t happen again (seems to be the only thing some companies understand—losing money). BB chose to ignore these health issues for years either out of laziness or greed & it nearly destroyed the company, cost many employees their jobs, & hurt the city & county. Another issue local residents forget is Brenham keeps local pay scale LOW to financially help family run businesses like BB. BB’s irresponsibility showed their lack of respect toward this community.

    1. Just my opinion but I doubt very seriously that Bluebell intentionally “ignored health issues out of laziness or greed”. Bluebell has a reputation of good people with strong morals who care about our community. Brenham is the home of Bluebell, why would they intentionally do anything harmful? My family’s main source of income is from Bluebell. We had a very rough couple of years with hours being cut but we are the lucky ones who at least got to keep our jobs. Hasn’t enough damage been done? I hope this ends quickly so we can all move on.

      1. Why did good people with strong morals ignore concerns repeatedly brought to their attention? Good people suffered: consumers who bought the tainted product, workers who were laid off and shareholders who lost value. Because Blue Bell employs a large number of people the owners can do as they please with no culpability?

        1. According to the FDA report I read (and just re-read this morning), Listeria was found during a routine sampling at the South Carolina distribution center on 2/15/15 and Bluebell began recalling products immediately.

  3. Sounds like a conspiracy to rip of a much needed employer. It is strange how these two many miles a part connected to file a lawsuit; greed before Christianity! Prayers for Blue Bell

    1. Actually the two parties did not connect to file a lawsuit.
      Jack Marchand II filed with Delaware court on August 14, 2017 case ID #2017-0586
      Mary Giddings Wenske filed with Delaware court on October 2, 2017 case ID #2017-0699

  4. The want of “green sheets of paper” seems to be what cost people their jobs originally. If executives & the board. acted responsibly and reasonably these shareholders won’t get a thin dime.

  5. Confused you are absolutely correct, I know people who own stock, and they didn’t like it when they were not getting their dividend checks, but they didn’t cry wolf like these 2 persons are doing, it’s a chance you take!

  6. I don’t understand how somebody can follow lawsuit like this when they’re not the only ones that lost money we have employees lost jobs plus lost her own money within the company and they said to think they’re better than everybody else

  7. Hmm…I thought when you buy stock you are taking that chance you aren’t going to make money… Isn’t that how the stock market works?? Don’t get me wrong, it is nice when it is making money… :/

    1. This is privately own stock; not public. Big difference. I’m sure they will sort things out.

      1. Private or public when you buy stock there is no guarantee that you will make money, its a risk you take.

      2. Private or not paroleman, it doesn’t make it right to sue a company just because you aren’t bringing in the money you once were with the stocks you have at the company. Just like everyone else is saying, there is people who lost their job, I think they have a better chance at a lawsuit than these two people. It will be interesting to keep up with the progress.

        1. I am sure neither one of the people that filed the lawsuits
          bought their Blue Bell stock, it was inherited or given to
          both of them.

  8. Are you kidding me, sounds like they just want some money!!! I just hate this Sue Sue Society we Live in!!!
    I Love My Blue Bell!!!

  9. Wow, some people lost their jobs and these people are complaining about their stock. That is embarrassing.

    1. Worse that Wenske inherited hers. Her parents would be furious at her if they were still living.

      1. I love your comment Old Brenham! Your exactly right and just so sad that this lawsuit will cost thousands and I sure hope BB doesn’t suffer from this!
        *This is lawsuit is at the previous management of BB not the newer management now correct?
        Just a shame that a green piece paper has that much power turned into hate!

        GO ASTROS!!!!!!

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