Fugitive QAnon Fan Runs Up $10,000 Diner Tab--and Bails

[Nevilledog]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/fugitive-qanon-fan-runs-up-dollar10000-diner-taband-bails

An unlikely partnership between a QAnon influencer and a Washington, D.C. diner popular with lawmakers has ended in chaos, with the diner’s owner claiming she’s owed $10,000 and the conspiracy theorist wanted for arrest in two states on unrelated charges.

QAnon promoter Richard Potcner’s relationship with Pete’s Diner owner Gum Tong started in late January, when Potcner claimed in a video posted to social media platform Telegram that he had established an “open tab” at the diner. Potcner urged National Guard soldiers guarding the Capitol in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot to order meals on his tab at the Capitol Hill diner, once a frequent breakfast spot for former Speaker of the House John Boehner.

As the bills piled up, Potcner asked his 200,000 Telegram followers to send him money so he could pay Tong for the meals. For months after that, Potcner posted videos of himself settling his tab with donated money from his fans. When Potcner’s tab would run out, Tong would continue to serve the meals, only to be paid back later by Potcner.

One day, though, Potcner stopped visiting the restaurant to pay his bill, according to Tong. Tong claims Potcner now owes her $10,000 on an outstanding bill for the meals.

“He got the money from the people,” Tong said, referring to Potcner’s donors. “But we didn’t get the money from him.”

*snip*

[gratuitous]

1. Is it okay not to root for anyone in this matter?

When you look in the mirror, Ms. Tong, do you see a Charms Blow Pop? You should, because you're a sucker.

[GregariousGroundhog]

5. To be fair, Potcner regularly paid off the tab to the tune of $60,000 before skipping town.

It's a dick move to leave the diner on the hook for the last $10,000, but at least they received 85 cents on the dollar for all the traffic directed their way. I hope Potcner makes good on his debt to Ms. Tong, and hope that Ms. Tong learned a lesson about allowing customers to rack up too large of a tab.

[csziggy]

7. With only 200,000 followers, how much traffic was directed to that DC restaurant?

A video I watched recently was about "influencers" who tried to get free stuff because their review and pictures would get their followers to go to whatever establishment they were trying to con. One of the replies from management of one of the places was that the "influencer" would have to have more followers then the venue already had to make an impact. 200,000 was not considered enough for that place.

I don't get the "influencer" phenomenon. Why should I even follow someone whose only function in life is to get people to do what they do so the "influencer" can get free stuff?

[GregariousGroundhog]

8. $70,000 in sales worth

I don't know how that big of a blip that $70,000 in sales was for this particular restaurant. Restaurants normally have thin profit margins though, so it's unlikely Ms. Tong profited from being paid 85 cents on the dollar for the traffic.

[panader0]

9. The big "blip" as you call it, will be when people find out that she's cozy with Qanon

and loses half of her customers. If I lived in DC, I wouldn't eat there, and I'm surprised that
the NG did. (Of course, it was free to them)

[csziggy]

11. Which was only this one Qanon influencer and which was NEVER paid on time

I wonder how much the delays in payment cost the restaurant? They had to pay for materials and labor and carry those costs for periods of time before they got re-paid, unlike normal customers that pay as soon as they receive their meals and service.

And as you say, the restaurant is now on the hook for $10,000 they probably will never get.

[onethatcares]

2. gee, this sounds familiar

but, give credit to grifters get screwed of money

I just can't seem to feel bad for Tong.....maybe he should as the other guy to help him collect this tab..

[tanyev]

3. And thus our story comes to its inevitable end.

[Blue Owl]

4. Diarrhea Donny's Dine & Dash Club

[Chainfire]

6. It is just good business, Republican style.

[stillcool]

10. probably a campaign contribution she forgot about...

so much sleeze