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Topics: US Food
Kerri-Ann Roper
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Topics: US Food
Footage of a sheriff in Georgia sparked controversy after it appeared to show him calling in deputies over what he said was a wrong order from Burger King.
The incident, which allegedly took place in March 2023, was captured on bodycam footage and shows Craig Owens Sr speaking to deputies outside of a Burger King outlet in Cobb County.
The deputies meet the Sheriff in the parking lot, after reportedly arriving with their sirens and lights on.
Owens, who was not in the uniform at the time, asks them to get the name of the manager for that particular outlet venue, according to footage shared by WXIA-TV's 11Alive.
Leaning out his his car window, Owens says: "I need to get- all I need is the owner's name of whoever owns this damn facility, or the manager."
The deputies approached the restaurant, but the doors had been closed with staff inside.
According to reports, the staff let the deputies inside, explaining their reasons for closing the doors and saying they were unaware that Owens was the sheriff.
The bodycam footage was shared online last year by David Cavender, who was running against Owens for sheriff in Cobb County.
A statement from Sheriff Owens, reported by various outlets at the time, said: "The type of call referenced in the video is a business dispute call. This is a call that ANY citizen can make and law enforcement will respond.
"At no point did I indicate my position, nor did I ask the responders to do anything that they would not, had not, or have not done for anyone else who makes a business dispute call."
"I regret that this call, which is made regularly by citizens, is being politicised in an attempt to win votes."
According to US media reports, Owens was re-elected in November last year.
A report from FOX 5 said that Owens is facing a lawsuit over alleged violations of free speech in relation to the sheriff's office Facebook page.
Court documents show that three plaintiffs allege they were blocked from commenting on the official Facebook page regarding the Burger King footage. However, lawyers for the plaintiffs have said the case has since been resolved.
Lance J. LoRusso, Esq. of LoRusso Law Firm, P.C. told FOODBible: “We were honored to represent these plaintiffs and pleased that their First Amendment protections were respected.”