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Published January 29, 2024, 10:27 pm ET
A South Carolina man is expected to appear in court for the first time next month after he was accused of drunkenly slapping a teenage hostess three times in the forehead at a Walt Disney World Resort restaurant after she refused to do so to seat him dress code in the restaurant.
John Munro, 64, was arrested and charged with assault following an altercation between him and a 19-year-old hostess at Cítricos at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort in November.
According to Walt Disney World News Today, Munro, no stranger to luxury hotels, is vice president of hospitality, sales and marketing at the prestigious Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, where he lives.
According to the affidavit obtained by Fox 35 Orlando on November 19, 2023, Orange County Sheriff's Office officers responded to the resort in reference to a battery.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a restaurant hostess checked in a family who had a reservation for three people just before 7:30 p.m.
However, the group traveled with four people; two women and two men.
According to arrest records, one of the men, Munro, was not dressed in accordance with the restaurant's dress code.
He was wearing swim shorts and a T-shirt, and Cítricos' website states, “Guests are expected to dress appropriately and respect the restaurant's sophisticated and upscale aesthetic,” specifically adding that swimwear is not permitted.
John Munro, 64, of South Carolina is accused of slapping a teenage hostess at a Disney World restaurant. Orange County Department of Corrections
Because Munro was wearing “swim shorts and a T-shirt,” he was told by the hostess that he was not allowed to dine with his family, the report said.
Munro seemed to understand, but said he would wait with his group until they were seated.
The hostess agreed to his request, but the situation escalated when she escorted the group to their seats moments later.
According to deputies, Munro followed the group of three to their table despite being told he was not allowed to do so.
“Please don't allow him to sit with us, he's really drunk, underdressed, it's my birthday and I'm embarrassed,” one of the women told the hostess, according to the affidavit.
Munro is Vice President of Hospitality, Sales and Marketing at the prestigious Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head. Disney World The incident occurred back in November at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. AFP via Getty Images
When the host told Munro he couldn't sit with the group, he “repeatedly slapped” her three times in the forehead while saying her name, which he read from the name tag on her shirt, officials said.
The hostess suffered no injuries, refused medical treatment and wanted to press charges, deputies said.
Officers arrived at Munro, who appeared to be intoxicated because he was “slurring his speech, had shiny red eyes, and kept repeating that he was going to sue Disney,” the affidavit states.
Munro was arrested and released the next morning on $1,000 bail.
He has also been placed on administrative leave “pending the review of this personnel matter,” resort spokeswoman Karen Moraghan confirmed to The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette on Thursday.
Surveillance video from the restaurant was not available, but prosecutors plan to use police body camera footage of the incident, according to Florida court records.
Munro pleaded not guilty and is expected to appear in court for a hearing on February 16.
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