PA Restaurant Sues Man For Taking Back His $3,000 Tip: Report

SCRANTON, PA — Alfredo's Pizza Cafe in Scranton is suing a customer who left his waitress a $3,000 tip and later disputed the charge with his credit card company, according to a report.

In July, Eric Smith stopped at Alfredo's and ordered a $13 stromboli. He then left his waitress Mariana Lambert the generous tip, claiming it was part of a social media trend called "Tips for Jesus."

"It really meant a lot to me because everyone's going through stuff. It really touched my heart. I still can't believe it. I'm still in shock," Lambert told WNEP in July.

RELATED: PA Pizza Cafe Waitress Left $3,000 Tip On $13 Bill

A month ago, however, Alfredo's staff received a letter in the mail from Smith disputing the charge, manager Zachary Jacobson told WNEP.

Alfredo's Vice President Leslie Minicozzi Galacci confirmed the disputed tip to Newsweek.

"We received notice 45 days after he dined in our establishment," Galacci said. "We had already paid Mari the $3,000 by a company check so currently we, as the owners, are hit with the loss."

According to Newsweek, restaurant staff contacted Smith, but after communication stopped, Alfredo's Pizza filed charges in Lackawanna County Magistrate Court.

"We thought somebody was actually trying to do a good thing. And then now we are, what, three months later? Not even, and there's nothing. There's nothing to show for it at this point," Jacobson told WNEP.