An Ohio woman lost her job after writing an offensive message on a restaurant bill instead of leaving a tip.
The incident occurred at Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Columbus, where a diner, identified as Stephanie Lovins, wrote “I hope Trump deports you!!!” on the signature line of her receipt. Instead of tipping on her $87.84 bill, she added, “Zero, you suck,” before signing her name.
A restaurant employee later posted a photo of the receipt on Facebook, where it quickly went viral. Lovins’ name was visible on the bill, prompting internet sleuths to uncover her background. It was soon revealed that she had worked at Century 21, a major real estate company, for 27 years.
Denial and Investigation
As backlash grew, Lovins attempted to defend herself on social media, claiming her credit card had been lost or stolen and that someone else had used it. However, Fabio Oribio, the restaurant’s marketing manager, reviewed CCTV footage and confirmed Lovins had written the note herself.
Century 21 swiftly responded to the controversy, releasing a statement:
“Hate has no place within the Century 21 brand, and we are taking this very seriously. After investigating the situation, we can confirm this agent is no longer affiliated with the brand.”
The restaurant also addressed the incident on social media, stating:
“We believe in respect, tolerance, and acceptance. One of our team members faced an unacceptable situation, and we stand firmly against any form of hate or discrimination.”
Support for the Server
The server targeted in the incident, Ricardo, was later identified as a U.S. citizen working two jobs. The restaurant reported that while the dining area had been busy that day, nothing had occurred that could have provoked such a hateful message.
Following the viral post, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to compensate Ricardo for the tip he deserved. The fundraiser has since raised over $21,000.
Social Media Backlash
This incident comes amid heightened tensions over immigration in the U.S., with former President Donald Trump vowing to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Cases like Lovins’ firing have become increasingly common, with social media users referring to them as “FAFO” (“F Around and Find Out”) moments.
Recent similar incidents include:
A public official resigning after making a hand gesture resembling a Nazi salute.
A Florida man losing his job for making death threats and racial slurs against a left-wing TikTok influencer.
Lovins’ story serves as yet another example of how offensive behavior can lead to swift and serious consequences.
