The Volokh Conspiracy - Couple Sentenced to Prison In Wendy's Severed-Finger Case:

From the AP:

SAN JOSE, Calif.--A couple who planted a severed finger in a bowl of Wendy's chili in a scheme to extort money from the fast-food chain were sentenced Wednesday to prison terms of nine years and more than 12 years.

Anna Ayala, 40 years old, who claimed she bit into the digit, was sentenced to nine years in state prison. Her husband, Jaime Plascencia, 44, who obtained the finger from a co-worker who lost it in a workplace accident, was sentenced to more than 12 years.

The pair pleaded guilty Sept. 9 to conspiracy to file a false insurance claim and attempted grand theft with damages exceeding $2.5 million.

And in case you were wondering:

A lengthy search for the finger's owner eventually pointed to one of Mr. Plascencia's co-workers, who lost it in an accident at the paving company where they worked, police said. Mr. Plascencia bought the tip of Brian Rossiter's right ring finger for $100 and told him what he and Ayala were plotting, according to court documents. Mr. Rossiter later told police the couple offered him $250,000 to keep quiet.

Ewwwww.

As for the Defendants:

During a recorded jailhouse phone call, Ms. Ayala bragged about how other inmates were asking for her autograph, according to a transcript of the call.

	[Todd Zywicki, January 18, 2006 at 5:25pm] Trackbacks Couple Sentenced to Prison In Wendy's Severed-Finger Case: From the AP: SAN JOSE, Calif.--A couple who planted a severed finger in a bowl of Wendy's chili in a scheme to extort money from the fast-food chain were sentenced Wednesday to prison terms of nine years and more than 12 years. Anna Ayala, 40 years old, who claimed she bit into the digit, was sentenced to nine years in state prison. Her husband, Jaime Plascencia, 44, who obtained the finger from a co-worker who lost it in a workplace accident, was sentenced to more than 12 years. The pair pleaded guilty Sept. 9 to conspiracy to file a false insurance claim and attempted grand theft with damages exceeding $2.5 million. And in case you were wondering: A lengthy search for the finger's owner eventually pointed to one of Mr. Plascencia's co-workers, who lost it in an accident at the paving company where they worked, police said. Mr. Plascencia bought the tip of Brian Rossiter's right ring finger for $100 and told him what he and Ayala were plotting, according to court documents. Mr. Rossiter later told police the couple offered him $250,000 to keep quiet. Ewwwww. As for the Defendants: During a recorded jailhouse phone call, Ms. Ayala bragged about how other inmates were asking for her autograph, according to a transcript of the call.