Business & Tech

Scotch Plains Man Sues TGI Fridays for Serving Cheap Booze

Todd Tarczynski, who was featured on ABC's '20/20,' has filed a class action suit against restaurant chain accused of switching alcohol.

A Scotch Plains man has filed a lawsuit against a chain of TGI Fridays restaurants that were raided in May for allegedly substituting cheap imitations for top-shelf liquor.

Todd Tarczynski, 32, a car salesman, said he can't be sure he was duped, according to MyCentralJersey.com, but said he sent back drinks he felt were too weak at the TGI Fridays in Springfield and Old Bridge—two of the 29 locations charged in "Operation Swill."

Tarcynski, who appeared recently on ABC's "20/20," said the accusations that included dirty water and rubbing alcohol were substituted in some cases, pose health risks to unknowing customers, according to News12 New Jersey.

The Briad Restaurant Group, based in Livingston, owns 13 of the implicated restaurants and agreed to a $500,000 fine and will not contest the accusations.

But Tarczynski said the penalty needs to be more severe.

"For them to misplace the trust in the consumer is priceless," he told MyCentralJersey.com.


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