Ex-Chipotle manager, accused of stealing $626, gets $8 million for wrongful termination

Authored by foxnews.com and submitted by karmajuney
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The former manager of a California Chipotle Mexican Grill who was accused of stealing more than $600 was awarded nearly $8 million for wrongful termination Thursday.

Jeanette Ortiz was accused in 2015 of stealing $626 in cash from a safe at the Fresno restaurant. Ortiz’s bosses claimed the theft was caught on camera, but she was never shown the video because her bosses told her the evidence had been destroyed.

Ortiz filed a wrongful termination suit after she was let go. A California jury ordered the restaurant to pay Ortiz $7.97 million in damages, according to the Fresno Bee.

The jury ruled Ortiz was a victim of a scheme to defame her for filing a worker’s compensation claim for a job-related wrist injury caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, the newspaper reported.

The jury deliberated for about four hours before a verdict was reached. Jurors awarded Ortiz $6 million for emotional distress and $1.97 million for loss of wages, according to the Bee.

A Chipotle spokeswoman declined to comment on the panel’s decision.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

lolamerica00 on May 15th, 2018 at 03:21 UTC »

Lawyer here, to be fair the headline is clickbait. It really should be: women awarded 8 million for being retaliated against for filing workers comp claim. That was the real legal issue. An employer can fire an at will employee for theft regardless of whether the theft allegations are true or not. They can fire you for any reason, even a false reason, as long as the reason isn't unlawful which generally involves discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.

blorpblorpbloop on May 15th, 2018 at 03:19 UTC »

Yeah but if you read the judgement it's awarded in the form of $8 million worth of coupons for free sides of chips and salsa.

Randolm on May 15th, 2018 at 02:18 UTC »

Yeah, guessing this award gets overturned on appeal. But she definitely deserves something.

Jeanette Ortiz was accused in 2015 of stealing $626 in cash from a safe at the Fresno restaurant. Ortiz’s bosses claimed the theft was caught on camera, but she was never shown the video because her bosses told her the evidence had been destroyed.

Ortiz filed a wrongful termination suit after she was let go. A California jury ordered the restaurant to pay Ortiz $7.97 million in damages, according to the Fresno Bee.

The jury ruled Ortiz was a victim of a scheme to defame her for filing a worker’s compensation claim for a job-related wrist injury caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, the newspaper reported.