An Oklahoma judge has ordered Xaviar Michael Bubudar, a Kansas City Chiefs superfan known as “ChiefsAholic,” to pay $10.8 million to a bank teller who he assaulted during a bank robbery in December 2022. The teller, Payton Garcia, alleged that Bubudar used a gun to assault her during the robbery of a credit union in Bixby, Oklahoma. The judge ordered Bubudar to pay Garcia $3.6 million for her injuries and loss of income, and $7.2 million in punitive damages. While it may be difficult for Garcia to collect the money, her attorney believes that the judgment sends an important message that nobody should profit from such acts.
Bubudar, who is known for attending Chiefs games dressed as a wolf in the team’s gear, has pleaded guilty to a series of bank robberies and remains imprisoned until his formal sentencing, which is set for July 10 in Kansas City. He admitted to the robberies and attempted robberies in 2022 and 2023, as well as to laundering the stolen money through casinos and online gambling. As part of his plea agreement, he must pay at least $532,675 in restitution and forfeit property, including an autographed painting of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes that was recovered by the FBI.
Garcia’s attorney acknowledges that collecting the money from Bubudar may be challenging, as bank robbers are not generally wealthy individuals. While Garcia has obtained a judgment against Bubudar, the likelihood of collecting a significant amount from him is slim. Despite this, the attorney believes that holding Bubudar accountable through the legal system is important, even if financial compensation may be limited. The judgment against Bubudar is seen as a deterrent against potential profiting from criminal acts.
Although it is uncommon for bank tellers to sue bank robbers, Garcia’s case highlights an exception to this trend. While it may be unlikely for Garcia to collect a significant amount of money from Bubudar, the judgment against him serves as a legal consequence for his actions. The judge’s decision to award Garcia millions of dollars in damages reflects the severity of the assault she experienced during the robbery. It sends a message that individuals who commit violent crimes will face legal repercussions, even if they may not be able to fully compensate their victims.
The judgment against Bubudar also raises questions about the ethics of profiting from criminal activities. Garcia’s attorney argues that nobody should be able to profit from such acts, whether through notoriety, clicks, views, or likes. The judgment serves to prevent Bubudar from benefiting in any way from his criminal behavior, even if it means financial compensation for his victim may be limited. While the legal system may not always ensure full restitution for victims of crime, it can serve as a means of holding perpetrators accountable and deterring future criminal behavior. The case of Xaviar Michael Bubudar serves as an example of the complex interplay between justice, restitution, and deterrence in criminal cases involving violence and financial crimes.
