An NFL superfan known as ‘ChiefsAholic’ has been ordered to pay a bank cashier $10.8 million (£8.5m) – though lawyers have warned they may never receive the cash.
Xaviar Michael Bubudar, 29, is well-known for attending Kansas City Chiefs games dressed as a wolf sporting the team’s gear.
But he’s now in the spotlight for different reasons as he has been ordered to pay the huge sum to a worker he allegedly assaulted during a bank robbery.
Payton Garcia claims Bubudar assaulted her with a gun during a theft in Oklahoma in December 2022, court records show.
A judge has now ordered the 29-year-old – who has pleaded guilty to a series of bank robberies – to pay Ms Garcia $3.6m (£2.8m) for her injuries and loss of income, as well as a further $7.2m (£5.6m) in punitive damages.
But it will be difficult for Ms Garcia to be paid the money.
Her lawyer Frank Frasier told the Associated Press: “I think the judge feels that way.
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“She did not come right out and say it during the hearing, but I argued that nobody should be able to profit from this, be it notoriety, clicks, views or likes.”
If Bubudar ever sells his story or writes a book, Ms Garcia will be entitled to collect some of the money owed, the lawyer added.
Bubudar pleaded guilty to robbing banks and credit unions in multiple US states, and laundering stolen money, in February.
As part of his plea agreement, he must forfeit property including an autographed painting of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He remains imprisoned until his formal sentencing in July.
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A number of bank cashiers in the US have sued their employer after a robbery, but far fewer have taken legal action against the robber.
Ed Blau, a prominent criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma City, said this is usually because the thieves are presumed to have little money.
He said: “[Ms Garcia] could have gotten a judgment for $10bn, but the likelihood of collecting is exceedingly slim.
“She’s got a judgment on paper only.”
