But company refuses to answer many questions.
By Edward Lynn
Editor
CLARION, Iowa — Following a federal lawsuit accusing Centrum Valley Farms of human trafficking, workplace discrimination, and retaliation, the company has issued a formal response denying the claims and expressing confidence in its management team, also saying “we expect to vigorously defend this case.”
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa by six Guatemalan former employees, alleges that a Centrum supervisor, Jose Cornejo, used racial slurs, threatened deportation, and even brandished a gun to intimidate workers. Plaintiffs claim they faced harassment, unpaid overtime, and unsafe working conditions while employed at the company’s Clarion facility.
Centrum, a subsidiary of Versova Holdings, LLP, initially did not respond to media inquiries. But Hinda Mitchell of the Inspire PR Group later contacted The Eagle, claiming, “the phone lines apparently were out” as the reason no one answered when the Eagle called previously. A follow-up question about the company’s phone service was not answered.
“Caring for our team and providing a safe work environment are always our priorities,” Mitchell wrote on behalf of Centrum. “We treat every individual on our team with respect at all times.” But Mitchell declined to respond to questions about whether that statement referred to the alleged actions by managers, or the act of making the claims by workers.
Plaintiff Kenny Augusto Tetzaguic Lux, who worked at the facility from 2016 until his termination in 2024, alleges he was fired in retaliation for raising concerns. The company cited a violation of “Guiding Principles and/or Core Values” in his termination notice.
The company denied the allegations made in the suit, stating that related complaints were investigated at the time, with some deemed unfounded and others unverified.
Questions about the use of assumed names in hiring to skirt immigration laws, and Cornejo’s immigration status also went unanswered. However Mitchel did respond to say that “all Centrum Valley Farms team members are E-Verified as eligible to work.”
In response to one allegation seemingly backed up by photographic evidence — that a manager brought a firearm to the facility — the company claims the item in question was a BB gun, used during a USDA-coordinated pest control effort related to the avian influenza outbreak. The plaintiffs allege it was used to intimidate them.
Centrum has not directly addressed several other follow-up questions posed by The Eagle, including inquiries about internal disciplinary actions, and whether any of the accused managers remain employed, and if any had been promoted or demoted. However, Mitchell had said in her initial email that, “We have the highest confidence in our leaders at Centrum Valley Farms and trust that this situation was managed both fairly and appropriately.”
The Eagle also asked whether plaintiff Kenny Lux’s reprimand for “insubordination” was connected to his prior complaint about supervisor Jose Cornejo, and whether that disciplinary action was reviewed internally. Additional questions included details about which specific complaints were investigated, who conducted those investigations, and what standards were used to deem them unfounded. Those questions went unanswered.
The Eagle further requested information about what protective gear is provided to workers handling pesticides. Mitchell didn’t answer that question directly, but did comment on Centrum’s behalf that “our farm follows the regulatory guidance of and complies with all state and federal requirements of OSHA, FDA, USDA and other government agencies.”
The Eagle continues to seek answers to detailed questions submitted to the company. The lawsuit remains pending.
