Galena man sues 7th Street Walmart, accuses manager and greeter of slander

A Galena, Kansas man is suing Walmart claiming he was humiliated when a greeter and then a manager humiliated him by accusing him of stealing shopping carts.

In the petition, which was filed Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court, Steven Hasenplaugh claims he was doing his weekly shopping at the 7th Street Walmart when he left his shopping cart by a wall while he went to the the restroom.

From the petition:

The greeter was nearby, looking at his phone. When plaintiff came out of the restroom, the greeter confronted him in the public sales area of the store in the presence and hearing of other customers and store employees.

The greeter stated, in words or in substance, that plaintiff was "doing this all the time," that "we have been watching you," and that "we have you on video camera." The greeter accused plaintiff of systematically stealing shopping carts or systematically misusing and taking carts that did not belong to him.

When Hasenplaugh denied the allegations, the greeter called him a liar, according to the petition.

After the accusation, the greeter told plaintiff he was expelled and trespassed, that he would never be allowed to return, and that the police would be contacted.

The greeter moved Hasenplaugh's cart, but after the greeter left, Hasenplaugh grabbed another cart, did his shopping and paid and then asked to speak to the manager.

The manager, described as an "older woman" told Hasenplaugh she saw the incident. She defended the greeter and refused to show Hasenplaugh the video.

No video was offered because none supported the accusation.

The petition said Hasenplaugh was humiliated, held up to public ridicule and suffered injury to his reputation.

The petition alleges two counts of slander and one count of negligence.

Hasenplaugh is represented by Hunter Altic of Altic Law, Carthage.