“The customer who committed the ‘hit-and-run’ fled the scene without being interviewed.”
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I’d say it’s more like the manager saw a train wreck coming down the tracks, decided it would be a really good idea to jump on board and threw himself on to the tracks. Intensive stupidity at work. A real “social” Darwin Award winner.
If the server files a lawsuit Olive Garden should track down the customer and investigate her social politics and even if she has a personal relationship with the victim.
I don't generally believe in conspiracies but Olive Garden needs to investigate before they capitulate.
If the customer paid with her own credit card, I'd give her name to lawyers and ask them to look into her social and political history.
Before they plead guilty and agree to a payout (if there's a lawsuit) they should investigate every contingency.
If a cigar is just a cigar they'll have to pay. If not they can expose the scam.