Does VP of HR have right to give me an order? or just my direct boss or bosses?

I was terminated due to Insubordination when I refused to follow instructions after a co-worker had been laid off as HR claimed to unemployment, during my unemployment appeal hearing the VP of HR said that I was told not spread rumors about her termination, When I was still working at the company, we had thefts occurring, and police showed up the friday before to take a statement, the next wends we had a company meeting and the VP of HR and the CEO of my company said we are laying off a manager due to economical reasons, even though the company is doing fine. So the next day after the meeting, I walked into the controller of the company office and asked him if he thought that the person was laid off due to economical reasons or her connection to the theft or it was just a coincidence. The CEO laid me off on Friday and said due to me accusing people of stealing, not due to insubordination, without the HR person being present, and it took them 10 days to give me an answer