By Kenneth Hardin

“Follow the money.” For the past two months, I’ve lived that quote from the 1976 film, “All the President’s Men.” Back in mid-January, I was contacted by a resident, who was handed a counterfeit $50 bill in change at a local fast food restaurant. In my head, I  heard the shadowy figure in the movie utter the quote to me as I led this arduous journey of trying to turn this fake currency over to the Salisbury PD and assist the resident in being reimbursed for his lost funds.

Two months later, up until last week, I still had possession of the counterfeit currency that no one seemed to want to take responsibility, accountability or control of. I can hear the first line of the Gilligan’s Island TV show theme playing as I prepare to spin this yarn and share with you what transpired over the last two months. So, “Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip…” because it’s been an exhausting one.  On the evening of Jan. 18, a resident telephoned me and shared that a week prior, he had received a counterfeit $50 bill from the East Innes Street Wendy’s restaurant. He added he was having difficulty getting anyone to accept responsibility, take control of the fake currency and respond to him as a crime victim.

He texted me pictures of the fake bill and asked if my nonprofit, The High Road, Inc., would assist him in getting the issue resolved. In the wee hours of the next morning, as the sun was still resting comfortably, I met the resident at the gas station across from the Wendy’s that passed him the fake currency. He looked downcast and his voice sounded defeated as he shared how no one seemed to care about there being counterfeit money in the city and his being a victim. Two months later, I tend to agree with him.

He explained that on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at noon, he went through the drive-thru at the East Innes Street Wendy’s location where he received the $50 bill as part of his change. The next day, he attempted to spend the money shopping at the Faith Road Food Lion, but the bill was marked as fake by the cashier. Instead of seizing the bill and contacting the police, as I learned their training requires in talking to a customer service manager, the fake currency was given back to the resident. He returned to the Wendy’s, where he spoke to the employee who initially dispensed the bill, and the manager on duty. Neither one would address the issue and suggested he return the next day to talk with a general manager. Sadly, the GM never showed up the two consecutive days he returned.

He then contacted the Salisbury PD to report the crime. The officer he was transferred to allegedly stated, “If I have to come out and do a report, I will have to seize the money. It’s best if you try to work it out with the Wendy’s corporate office to get your money back. If you don’t get anywhere with them, call me back.” He did call the officer back numerous times without success. He called the Wendy’s corporate office and spoke with a representative, who assured him that someone would call him back immediately after they ended their call. No one did that day and hasn’t since then, even after he made additional multiple follow up calls to the corporate number. Frustrated and disappointed, he contacted my nonprofit because, “I was tired of being given the run-around by so many businesses and no one seemed to care that a crime had been committed.” He told me he simply wanted someone to contact him and take the crime seriously, but more importantly, to take the fake bill out of circulation.

I reached out to the Salisbury police chief and he responded quickly. In this entire two-month ordeal, Chief Smith has been the only one who has shown any genuine concern. Last month, an attempt was made for an SPD officer to meet with the crime victim, but the officer failed to follow through. I explained to the chief that it contradicts and flies in the face of encouraging citizens in the pointless community conversations to work with the police when something as easy as this can’t be handled and a victim shown respect. I sent a detailed email to the mayor and each city councilmember, but only Tamara Sheffield responded. That speaks volumes of their concern for crime and crime victims. Are they actually working for the people?

A complaint was filed on the Wendy’s corporate website and they finally took responsibility. They sent him an apology letter, two gift cards and a $100 reimbursement check. I finally turned the fake bill over to the SPD last week.

Kenneth L. (Kenny) Hardin is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.