Some weeks ago, one Anna Ayala, a 39-year-old resident of Las Vegas, "found" part of a human finger in the bowl of chili served to her at a Wendy's fast-food franchise in California.

Some weeks ago, one Anna Ayala, a 39-year-old resident of Las Vegas, "found" part of a human finger in the bowl of chili served to her at a Wendy's fast-food franchise in California. She promptly sued, but withdrew her action when it became known that she is a serial plaintiff, who has a long record of trying to get money out of big corporations. The question then remained: To whom did the enchilied digit belong? Acting on a tip [sic], local police questioned a Nevada gentleman who had lost a finger in an industrial accident back in December. This person is an acquaintance of Ms. Ayala's husband, so now the finger of suspicion is pointing right back at Ms. Ayala, who has accordingly been nailed-arrested and charged with attempted grand theft. While Ms. Ayala languishes in jail, no doubt cursing the fickle finger of fate, Wendy's has announced that they have lost $2.5 million of business because of the incident. Nor are they the only losers. A society as absurdly litigious as ours has now become will naturally encourage hoaxes of this kind, making it harder for those genuinely wronged to obtain redress. Thanks a ... million, ATLA.