Is it Theft to Use a Prospective Employer's Plane Ticket but Not Take the Job

[wildflower.1912]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Wisconsin

My boyfriend accepted a position with a company, went through all of the pre-screening, drug tests, etc. The new company had required him to sign a 12-month non-compete agreement that he would have been subjected to if he actually began work with them. He was having second thoughts about the job, nonetheless, he flew down south for training using a plane ticket provided by the company. While enroute, he decided it would be in his best interest to not begin employment with them and be subject to that non-compete restriction. He ended up arriving there, only to sit 6 hours in the airport terminal until he could get a return flight home later that day (that he paid for).

Now the company is sending him nasty text and email messages that if he doesn't pay them the $300 for the flight, they are going to file theft charges and have a warrant issued for his arrest.

Can they really do this? I find it a stretch that it's "theft" just because he changed his mind about starting employment with them. There was never any intent to steal anything...he left and went down there in good faith. It was only later that he changed his mind about the job.

[Welfarelvr]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Wisconsin

My boyfriend accepted a position with a company, went through all of the pre-screening, drug tests, etc. The new company had required him to sign a 12-month non-compete agreement that he would have been subjected to if he actually began work with them. He was having second thoughts about the job, nonetheless, he flew down south for training using a plane ticket provided by the company. While enroute, he decided it would be in his best interest to not begin employment with them and be subject to that non-compete restriction. He ended up arriving there, only to sit 6 hours in the airport terminal until he could get a return flight home later that day (that he paid for).

Now the company is sending him nasty text and email messages that if he doesn't pay them the $300 for the flight, they are going to file theft charges and have a warrant issued for his arrest.

Can they really do this? I find it a stretch that it's "theft" just because he changed his mind about starting employment with them. There was never any intent to steal anything...he left and went down there in good faith. It was only later that he changed his mind about the job.

There is no theft here. However, there may be a tort the company can sue him on. For $300? They will probably not.

[viol8te]

How 'bout he pays the price for the ticket and eliminate the threat?

[Disagreeable]

This guy is what you call "employable material". That was $300 well spent on their part, think of all they saved. Remember this before you marry or have a child with him.