November 22, 2009 New York Times Recognition

RTIR Online      Radio-TV Interview Report

The Shame Behind Walmart's Scandal Ridden Existence

For years, Walmart has watched its reputation decline as complaints of poor business practices, sourcing from sweatshops, low salaries, substandard working conditions and race and gender bias, mounted steadily.  In 1997, the company accused employee Lamon Griggs of shoplifting a pouch of chewing tobacco and fired him.  There were two problems: Number one, Griggs, a model employee, didn't do it.  Number two, he was a former Mississippi Highway Patrol State Trooper still involved in law enforcement.  With his life turned upside down and a name to clear, Griggs spent the next five years embroiled in a scenario that rivaled a complex Hollywood thriller: a corporate cover-up, shady executives, a missing witness and a hidden document.  In the end, Griggs triumphed over the world's largest corporation and was awarded a judgment of $8.5 million in a lawsuit.

"I never wanted to take this to court, and once I did, it had nothing to do with money.  I just wanted Walmart to admit they made a mistake and apologize, " says Griggs.

Walmart was advised by their powerful legal team not to apologize, offering instead a monetary settlement to avoid a trial.  However, the money initially offered to Griggs provided little comfort.  He wanted Walmart to admit they were wrong, and since they did not voluntarily agree, he decided to reject their offer and leave the decision in the hands of a jury.  

And take Walmart and their corporate attorneys to task, he did.  He slapped the grin from Walmarts' icon, the "smiley face".  Not only were they defeated, they were exposed and shamed.

PageOneLit.com asked, "What do you hope to achieve with After the Verdict?"

"Although enlightening and educational, I want the reader to understand that corporate dominance is the new culture for Walmart.  The fact is, they think they are doing you a favor by employing you, as well as allowing you to shop in their stores.  Any scapegoat will do, if you allow yourself to be one.  I refused to allow that.  What happened to me could happen to you.  This book will help educate the reader as to the dark side of a popular retail Goliath, as well as the Walton clan and the sludge they call corporate executives," states Griggs.

"Read my story, and you be the judge"