VA Hospital Issues $525 Fine, Fires Man After He Doesn't Pay For Drink Refill
A $525 federal fine was issued to a North Charleston man on Wednesday after he refilled his 89-cent drink at the VA hospital without paying for it, however a spokesperson for the facility said Thursday that it chose to give the man a warning instead of the citation.
Signs are posted stating there are no free drink refills at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston but Christopher T. Lewis ignored the signage because he had never had any problems refilling his drink in the past.
Tonya Lobbestael told Fox News that Lewis was not a federal employee and had told responding officers he had refilled his drink "multiple times."
"Shoplifting is against the law and the signage is very clearly posted on the drink machine," Lobbestael said. "The same citation could be issued to anyone who is shoplifting."
Lewis also told the station the officer, who identified himself as the chief of police at the VA hospital, grabbed his arm after refilling his drink. The officer took Lewis to a private room and handed him the citation.
"I told him I wasn't aware that I had to pay for that," Lewis said. "I'm done there, at the VA hospital. I'm not allowed to go on the premises anymore."
According to Fox, authorities said Thursday that Lewis is a construction worker who was employed near the medical center but has been banned from his work site.
Lewis told WCSC-TV, a local news channel, the authorities didn't let him pay the 89-cents and that he would fight charge in federal court.
"Every time I look at the ticket, it's unbelievable to me," Lewis said. "I can't fathom the fact that I made a 89-cent mistake that cost me $525."
Lobbestael said the citation was a sufficient response in this case. She also said that Lewis was "verbally aggressive" after VA officials and the police confronted him.
"Here's the bottom line: They're the police and they have a responsibility to enforce the law and protect and preserve," she said. "And they do attempt to diffuse situations before they resort to other measures."
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