JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (KSNW) – In a joint press conference with McDonald’s Monday night, the Herington Police Chief said the coffee cup incident was a hoax.

Chief Brian Hornaday said McDonald’s didn’t have anything to do with writing obscenities on an officer’s coffee, and that it was “fabricated by a police officer no longer employed with the agency.”

“Now, this is absolutely a black eye on law enforcement,” Hornaday said.

The officer, who won’t be identified since it is a “personnel matter,” told the chief it was meant to be a joke. Hornaday said the officer was with the department for two months.

No criminal charges are expected.

A police chief has removed a public post accusing a McDonald’s employee of writing obscenity on one of his officers’ coffee cups Monday morning.

The post disappeared hours after the officer’s claims received national attention and McDonald’s claimed security footage shows none of their employees wrote on the cup.

Herington police chief Brian Hornaday posted a public picture Saturday of a coffee cup with “f pig” written on it, saying a Junction City McDonald’s employee wrote it.

Store owner Dana Cook gave KSNT News this statement Sunday when asked about the incident:

“My McDonald’s has the utmost respect for all members of law enforcement and the military and were troubled by the accusation made. We thoroughly reviewed our security video from every angle, which clearly shows the words were not written by one of our employees. We look forward to working with Chief Hornaday as he continues his investigation.”

DANA COOK, MCDONALD’S

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