A restaurant is planning to sue a diner who deliberately left a huge tip on a bill - then tried to claim the money back. Mariana Lambert, who works as a waitress at Alfredo's Cafe in Scranton, Pennsylvania, was left gobsmacked after the Eric Smith left a $3,000 (£2,628) gratuity payment on a $13 (£11) meal.
Eric told Mariana he left her the money after being inspired by the social media movement 'Tips for Jesus'. Despite her initial scepticism, the server's colleagues later confirmed that the credit card payment had gone through successfully and the money was hers, the Mirror reports.
Expressing her shock and appreciation over the random act of kindness, she told local media: "It really meant a lot to me because everyone's going through stuff. It really touched my heart. I still can't believe it. I'm still in shock."
However, three months later a legal battle has ensued after the diner changed his mind, leaving staff wishing that he had never bothered at all. Problems began last month when the café received a letter in the post confirming Mr Smith had disputed the payment to claim the money back.
This was despite the business having already processed the payment and had given it to Mariana, meaning they were left £2,628 out of pocket. After having exchanged messages with Mr Smith on Facebook in an attempt to reach a resolution, the café is now taking him to court in an attempt to recoup the costs, and has stopped replying to him.
Alfredo's Café manager Zachary Jacobson has spoken his disappointment over how the affair has turned out, saying: "We thought somebody was actually trying to do a good thing.
"And then now we are, what, three months later? Not even, and there's nothing. There's nothing to show for it at this point."
He added that the café has filed charges at the magistrates court as they were "just out of this money at this point", and would likely end up suing him after Eric himself suggested they do so.
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