My question involves defamation in the state of: California
Hello everyone,
I want to seek advice about a co-worker falsely accusing me of stealing at the restaurant that I work for. Her accusation resulted in me being fired. I want to see if there is any support for me from the legal aspect. Before I seek a lawyer or anything, I want to get help here. Also, I want to see if you guys can help me evaluate my case and see if my situation is something I can win.
About a week ago, I was at work at the restaurant and had a table pay their bill with 2 gift certificates totaling $30 and $4 cash. The bill was $23.87. I stapled the $20 gift certificate to the bill and rang in $3.87 in the register and put in the $4 cash. I kept the $10 gift certificate as a tip. I didn't think this was an issue as my boss has paid me to write the work schedule out for him with gift certificates. Also there is no employee manual that tells me any rules as to why this should be wrong. The other employee told my boss I was stealing and he fired me. I told him that I wasn't trying to steal and that it was a misunderstanding and even gave him the gift certificate. He maintained that I was fired and that I stole.
Please help...I am trying to enter my real career in the health field and I don't want a misunderstanding ruining my name and chances of getting hired in the future. I am not a thief. I am a good person.

