The saying "no good deed goes unpunished" refers to someone's attempted act of kindness or generosity backfiring on them.
But a server at Alfredo's Pizza Cafe in Scranton, Pennsylvania who was on the receiving end of an act of generosity found herself, and her place of employment, the ones who ended up being punished.
This sad realization came after a man who left the server a $3 thousand tip for a roughly $13 bill ended up later disputing the charge on his credit card statement.
ABC affiliate WNEP reported on the story.
Back in June of this year, server Mariana Lambert was elated to discover her customer, Eric Smith, left her a $3,000 tip on a bill which added up to $13.25
So much so manager Matt Martini told CNN at the time Lambert ran into his office in tears, so overcome was she at Smith's gesture.
Ensuring the tip was, indeed genuine, another manager at the restaurant, Zachary Jacobson, asked Smith about leaving the significant amount of gratuity.
Smith told Jacobson he was involved in cryptocurrency, and having grown up in Scranton, wanted to give back to the community.
Smith had also written "Tips for Jesus" on the bill, referring to an Instagram page run by an anonymous user seeming to encourage those with money available to give back by leaving large tips at restaurants.
Roughly three months later, however, it looks like Smith's gesture may not have been genuine, as Smith is now disputing the charge on his credit card.
Upon learning the charge was being disputed, Jacobson reached out to Smith on social media, hoping this was a mistake or misunderstanding.
Unfortunately Smith confirmed he had disputed the charge, leaving the business out $3 thousand, having already paid Lambert her tip.
After Smith stopped returning messages from Jacobson on Facebook, Jacobson felt they were left with no other option but to take legal action against him, something Jacobson told WNEP Smith suggested himself.
"It's just a little aggravating right now."
"It's been causing a lot of nonsense and drama."
"Unfortunately, we had to file charges through the magistrate's office because now we're just out of this money at this point."
"And he told us to sue him, so that's what we're going to end up doing, I guess."
While Jacobson is confident they have enough evidence in their favor regarding the case, he also expressed how even coming out on top in the lawsuit can't erase the disappointment that Smith's actions were disingenuous.
"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."
"I hope that he owns up to his actions and comes forth and does pay this because you shouldn't have done this if this was the end result.
Twitter users were quick to share in Jacobson's disappointment and anger at Smith's actions.
@inctwadumela/Twitter
Smith has yet to officially comment on the disputed charge or the lawsuit.
A GoFundMe page was started in an effort to help Alfredo's following the disputed charge, but the restaurant declined the funds and the page was shut down.
@jaketapoer/Bluesky
@BillAckman/Twitter