4/22/2005: The finger points to jail
Anna Ayala, the finger-in-the-chili lady, is in jail. She's been charged with felony attempted grand theft, with a penalty enhancement for inflicting more than $2.5 million in losses on Wendy's. She was simultaneously charged with an additional rap, also felony grand theft, for allegedly selling a mobile home a couple years ago that she didn't own.
I don't know what's going on here - Ayala has a record of filing lawsuits as I previously reported, so it isn't looking good for her. However, El Pollo Loco, who settled for $30,000 in one of her prior suits, reports that they haven't paid her any of it. (What's up with that?)
Wendy's $100,000 reward for information about the finger could easily have contributed to some phony stories coming forth, including some pointing to Ayala, but officials claim to have enough circumstancial evidence to have put her in jail without bail. They aren't saying anything about where the finger came from, or if they even have a theory on that.. and let's face it, that's what we'd all really like to know.
I still find it more than interesting that forensics reports are now saying the finger hadn't been cooked (at least not the three hours at 170° that Wendy's cooks their chili) - but at the time of the chomp heard 'round the world, a county health officer said "the finger had been cooked at a high enough temperature to kill any viruses." Go figure. Ayala's roommate said as far as evidence, "They don't got jack shit."
I look forward to more facts unfolding - this is the kind of story that just keeps getting better.
Meanwhile, Bay Area Wendy's are giving away free milkshakes this weekend.
