We found this article on CNN
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (AP) — Two police officers sued Burger King Corp., claiming they were served hamburgers that had been sprinkled with marijuana.
The lawsuit says Mark Landavazo and Henry Gabaldon, officers for the Isleta Pueblo tribal police, were in uniform and riding in a marked patrol car when they bought meals at the drive-through lane October 8 of a Burger King restaurant in Los Lunas, New Mexico.
The officers ate about half of their burgers before discovering marijuana on the meat, the lawsuit said. They used a field test kit to confirm the substance was pot, then went to a hospital for medical evaluations.
“It gives a whole new meaning to the word ‘Whopper,”‘ the officers’ attorney, Sam Bregman, said Monday.
“The idea that these hoodlums would put marijuana into a hamburger and therefore attempt to impair law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs is outrageous.”
Three Burger King employees were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and aggravated battery on an officer, a felony. They later were indicted.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in Bernalillo County, alleges personal injury, negligence, battery and violation of fair practices. It seeks unspecified damages along with legal costs.
Officials at Miami-based Burger King declined to comment, citing a company policy against discussing pending litigation.
Well, first extra cheese and special sauce are the burger fads. Then we must contend with bacon on just about every burger we eat. But now Corra finds we reached a new high, or low, when some adventurous but mischievous Burger King employees decided to introduce a new burger special.
Corra realizes this may be funny, but at the same time for Burger King ans the franchise owner this is really no laughing matter. In fact, it’s all the more reason to screen your job candidates. While you may not be able to prevent such damaging pranks as the burger/marijuana episode, you may have a better idea who is representing you in the public eye.
In the case of Burger King, with many of the employees being minors or young adults, there may be no record available or no record at all. But for your business, you know what damage an act like this can create.
Perhaps it’s good to run a drug test, and at least a criminal check, which may indicate convictions for possession of drugs. With some retail job candidates you want to run retail theft database search to see if other employers had ever reported suspected malfeasance on the part of your candidate. Additionally, the Nationwide Criminal Background Check will provide you with criminal records but also with the list of sex offenders on the sexual offender’s registry in all fifty states. This is especially important when your candidate is in the proximity of children.
So as humorous, perhaps, as you may find this story, consider the serious side–can we say liability and damage litigation?–and listen to Corra. Check them out before you hire.
