James W. Lynn, a former Wal-Mart executive, has sued the company, accusing it of firing him for being too aggressive about finding workplace violations. Lynn had been in charge of inspecting working conditions in Central American factories, and argues that he was fired for refusing to comply with Wal-Mart's demand that he certify factories in order to get Wal-Mart's goods to market. Wal-Mart officials said Mr. Lynn was not fired for being a forceful monitor, but for violating rules against fraternization; the company does acknowledge that it sent a security official to spy on Lynn.
See "Fired Officer Is Suing Wal-Mart", Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, June 30, 2005