One of LA’s oddest restaurant stories just reached its end last week. Labeled as the “dine-and-dash dater,” 45-year-old Paul Gonzales pleaded no contest to four misdemeanor charges last Tuesday and was sentenced to four months in jail with three years probation. Gonzales allegedly left around a dozen first dates with the bill as he skipped out on payment throughout Southern California.
Interestingly, Gonzales will not serve time for dining and dashing. After being spotted by Pasadena Police, he was arrested on August 25 and served 30 days behind bars, according to NBC Los Angeles. He was kept in jail until a September court date, where seven of Gonzales’ victims testified against him. Gonzales was then released on $100,000 bond after eight felony counts of extortion and two felony counts of attempted extortion were dropped.
Instead, the world’s worst dater will serve time for three counts of non-payment to an innkeeper, and one count of petty theft. Superior Court Judge Stan Blumenfeld determined Gonzales’ sentence on November 20, which includes 120 days behind bars, and an outright ban on using dating apps and websites Bumble and PlentyofFish during probation.
Gonzales justified his behavior because eating good food made him feel better, according to the investigating detective, Victor Cass. He is also required to pay restitution to Pasadena-based Smitty’s Grill, Mercado, and Buca di Peppo, and remain at least 100 yards away from these and other businesses. Gonzales must surrender to serve his sentence on January 14, 2019.