What started as a normal Sunday at an Ohio Mexican restaurant ended with a viral receipt, a failed cover-up attempt, and a 27-year career down the drain.
In a stunning display of what internet users are calling “FAFO” (F**k Around, Find Out), a real estate agent lost her long-standing position after leaving a xenophobic message for her waiter instead of a tip.
The incident occurred at Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant & Cantina in Columbus, Ohio, where the customer spent $87.84 on her meal.
But when it came time to leave a gratuity, she wrote “Zero, you suck,” followed by “I hope Trump deports you!!!” on the signature line of the bill.
An employee of the restaurant posted a photo of the receipt on Facebook, which quickly went viral.
The bill clearly displayed the customer’s name — Stephanie Lovins — in the corner.
Internet sleuths quickly identified Lovins as a veteran realtor with an impressive 27-year tenure at Century 21, the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization.
What happened next was a textbook example of consequences in the digital age.
The Failed Cover-Up Attempt
When confronted with the growing backlash, Lovins tried damage control by posting on a local Facebook page with a dubious explanation.
She claimed her “credit card was lost/stolen and someone attempted to use it,” and insisted she was merely focusing on reporting the issue to her bank.
According to her post, the entire situation was the result of “scammers and profile hackers,” and she thanked her followers for their “patience” as she dealt with the matter.
There was just one small problem with her story: security cameras.
Fabio Oribio, the restaurant’s marketing manager, reviewed the CCTV footage and confirmed to The Columbus Dispatchthat it was indeed Lovins who wrote the offensive note.
The digital evidence directly contradicted her claims of a stolen card or identity theft.
Swift Corporate Response
Century 21 didn’t waste time distancing themselves from Lovins’ behavior.
“We are aware of the situation with the agent in question.
Hate has no place within the Century 21 brand, and we are taking this very seriously,” the company stated.
After investigating the incident and speaking with the respective broker, they confirmed that “this agent is no longer affiliated with the brand.”
The statement emphasized that all companies affiliated with Century 21 are independently owned and operated.
The Restaurant Stands By Its Employee
Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant & Cantina publicly supported their staff member with a social media statement affirming their values.
“We believe in the power of respect, tolerance and acceptance,” the restaurant wrote. “Recently, one of our team members faced an unacceptable situation, and we stand firmly against any form of hate or discrimination.”
Oribio provided additional context about the day in question: “It was a normal Sunday; things got a little busy, so the wait could have been a little longer than usual, but we aren’t really sure what made her write that.”
He also revealed that the waiter’s name was Ricardo and that he is a U.S. citizen working two jobs to make ends meet.
Community Support Pours In
In a heartwarming turn of events, supporters created a GoFundMe campaign for Ricardo to “give him the tip he deserves.”
The community’s generosity has far exceeded expectations, with the fund raising over $8,800 — significantly more than the 15-20% tip that would have been appropriate on an $87 bill.
These terminations following discriminatory behavior have collectively become known online as “FAFO” moments — a crude but effective reminder that in today’s connected world, public actions often come with public consequences.
Editor’s Note:
Source: news.com.au and The Columbus Dispatch.