Wendy’s manager stole $20,000 after creating ‘ghost employee’ she clocked in and out for 128 shifts

A former Wendy's manager created a 'fake employee' to pocket $20,000 in wages after clocking them in for 128 shifts, police have confirmed.

Former Wendy's manager, Linda Johnson, who invented a 'ghost' employee called 'William Bright', clocked the fake employee in and out for shifts so she could pocket the wages.

Johnson, who worked in Pennsylvania, has now been charged with theft by deception, according to Manheim Township Police Department.

The manager kept up the scheme for almost a year before being caught, according to reports.

She began clocking in 'William Bright' for shifts in June 2021 until May last year when she was finally found out.

During the investigation, employees said they could 'never recall' working with someone with that name, then Johnson finally admitted to making the fake employee to cash in on the extra wages.

Police confirmed that the pay checks were deposited into her Cashapp account.

After a criminal case was bought against Johnson, she then went missing and her whereabouts were unknown as police released an appeal to the public for any information regarding her whereabouts.

Johnson's crime was posted to social media, as people gave their opinion of her illegal methods. One person commented commending the former manager:

"I’m not gonna lie, this is smart as hell.

You can’t even be mad at her. 128 shifts without anyone noticing this ‘new employee’ is insane LMAO.”

The woman worked at a Wendy's in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Dan Tian/Getty Images

“I respect the hustle,” another commented.

Others wondered if Johnson didn’t have the help of other staffers, with one writing, “She wasn’t doing it alone, she must have been sharing the benefits with other staff."

It was reported that the restaurant's insurer paid out a hefty $16,000 for the incident.

UNILAD has reached out to Wendy's for comment.

This comes shortly after a McDonalds worker was arrested while on shift for violating their probation, as shocked customers looked on.

After allegedly 'ignoring' requests to appear for parole, the police called the restaurant and asked the man to come home, but was told to 'keep working' by his manager.

Police appeared at the restaurant shortly after and arrested the man on site.

It's believed that the employee was on the run from the police for five years at the time of his arrest.

The police arrived at McDonalds.

Apparently, they were being arrested for failing three drug tests and were planning on turning themselves in at their next probation meeting.

The employee explained that happened in the restaurant, posting on Reddit: "The police came in, four of them, three not in uniform and one with khakis and sheriff vest. They make their way to back booth and take me out the back door. I no longer have a job now.”