Denver-Based Chipotle Ordered To Pay $8M To Ex-Manager

DENVER, CA -- Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill was recently ordered to pay nearly $8 million in damages to a former employee of a California location. The Fresno Bee reported Jeanette Ortiz, who was fired in January 2015, won her case against the fast-casual restaurant.

The Fresno Bee reported Ortiz was "accused of stealing $626 in cash from the restaurant's safe," but the company refused to show Ortiz evidence the theft happened.

"Fresno County Superior Court jurors ordered Chipotle to pay Ortiz nearly $8 million in damages, ruling that she was not a thief, but was a victim of a scheme to fire and defame her for filing a worker's compensation claim for a job-related injury to her wrist caused by carpal tunnel syndrome," the Bee reported.

Ortiz may see more money come her away. The Fresno Bee said the court will also "determine how much Chipotle must pay in punitive damages to Ortiz."

"Courts assess punitive damages to deter reprehensible acts, like what the jury determined Chipotle did to Ortiz, from happening again," the Bee reported. "Ortiz is entitled the punitive damages because the jury found that Chipotle upper management had maliciously fired her."

Chipotle, which was founded more than 20 years ago, has more than 2,000 locations and 64,000 employees.

Patch reached out to Chipotle Mexican Grill for comment.

Read the full Fresno Bee story here.