This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Moorhead, Minn. • Authorities have decided to return a $12,000 tip to a Minnesota waitress that police believed was drug money.
Stacy Knutson of Moorhead says a customer told her she could keep a takeout container she left behind at the Fryn' Pan restaurant. The box turned out to contain $12,000 in bills in various denominations.
Police initially told her she could keep the money if no one claimed it, but later said it was part of a drug investigation.
On Thursday, after the case drew national attention, Assistant Clay County Attorney Michelle Lawson told reporters the money could not be tied to a criminal investigation, and that Knutson would get a check.
Knutson says she believed the money was an anonymous gift from someone who knew her family had severe financial difficulties.