Former COO Files Lawsuit Against Pillen Family Farms Over Alleged Firing Due to Family Members Diagnosis on His Insurance Plan

The former chief operating officer of the swine genetics company owned by Gov. Jim Pillen filed a federal lawsuit Friday alleging he was fired because of the medical diagnosis of a family member on his insurance plan.

Delwyn Birkhofer, who was the COO at DNA Genetics from 2021 to 2025, also alleged age and racial discrimination. The lawsuit said older employees were treated as “being on a timer” as the company focused on a youthful culture, and said the company would not consider providing Birkhofer severance despite considering severance for a Black employee. Birkhofer is white.

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