Newman’s Own Foundation chief fired amid alleged harassment charges

Bob Forrester, the president and CEO of Newman”™s Own Foundation in Westport, has been fired for alleged harassment.

The New York Post”™s celebrity gossip-focused Page Six reported Forrester was the subject of a recent complaint filed by a female staff member. The foundation”™s inquiry into the complaint uncovered more allegations by other staff members. The foundation did not issue an official statement regarding Forrester”™s removal from his leadership role, but it supplied Page Six with a statement affirming his departure.

“The special committee promptly took action after an independent investigation into allegations brought forward by employees regarding their experiences working at the foundation,” the statement said. “They are firm in the commitment to uphold the values and culture that Paul Newman established ”¦ and there is no tolerance for unacceptable behavior.”

Jennifer Smith Turner, a member of the foundation”™s board of directors and a former CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut, was named interim president and CEO.

Forrester was among the original team of officers brought in by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman when he launched the foundation, which is funded with profits from the Newman”™s Own food business. Forrester did not issue a public statement on his firing.