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The American Food Center Owner’s Letter to the Community
January 1, 2019
My name is Joseph Farah,
and I am the owner of American Food Center (AFC) in Toledo
Ohio. I am sorry for the actions of my former employees on
Christmas day which was not in accordance with my store’s
policy. The suspects in question acted on their own, outside
of my supervision. I absolutely condemn the behavior shown
in the video of the incident.
As soon as I heard about
the incident, the employees involved were immediately
terminated. Not only were they fired, but local prosecutors
are pursuing assault charges against both former employees.
Furthermore, some of the articles released falsely stated
that the owners of AFC were directly involved in this
incident. However, this is clearly not the case—all parties
involved are former employees.
AFC is owned by me, my
wife, and our four children whom I was home with at the time
of the incident. Moreover, I have replaced and retrained my
employees and have hired security while also working in
conjunction with Toledo Police to ensure the safety of all
customers and employees.
I am aware the public
outcry and I take their concerns to heart. Not only do I
hear it, I understand it and support it. I have taken
immediate action to ensure an incident like this does not
disgrace our community again. For over a decade, AFC has
been involved in with the local community by investing in
and donating to youth basketball teams, several churches,
and the Toledo Police Department.
Best Regards,
Joseph Farah & Family
Owners, American Food
Center
Ed. Note: The incident referred to by Joseph Farah occurred
on Christmas Day when a customer, Shannon Wilson, allegedly
stole two bottles of liquor from the American Food Center.
On video viewers can see Wilson chased, caught, kicked and
beaten by the two store employees, Guirguis Ragheb and Tejas
Patel. Ragheb and Patel have been charged with misdemeanor
assault. Wilson has been charged with petty theft.
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