Chipotle Is Facing A Criminal Investigation Over Norovirus Outbreak
To say it’s been a rough year for Chipotle has been an understatement. Between the massive norovirus outbreaks and the E. coli incidents, the fast casual chain has seen better days. Now, it looks like the company will be facing a criminal investigation thanks to the norovirus outbreak at a Chipotle restaurant Simi Valley.
The Associate Press reports that a federal investigation is underway after 100 customers and 17 employees got sick last summer. According to Chipotle’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it seems the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California will be working with the Food and Drug Administraiton’s Office of Criminal Investigations.
While this kind of investigation to an outbreak is very uncommon, a lawyer who represents the customers affected speculates that it could have something to do with employment violations.
In the month of December, when the majority of the shit hit the fan, the company reported a 30 percent plunge in sales at “established locations.”
Wonder if Chipotle will be able to turn things around this new year.
