Ex-Disney Employee Pleads Guilty to Hacking Menus with Dangerous Allergy Misinformation

Michael Scheuer admitted to altering allergen data, embedding offensive symbols, and disrupting Disney's systems after his termination in 2024.

Michael Scheuer, a former Disney World menu production manager, pleaded guilty to computer fraud and aggravated identity theft after hacking the company's menu creation software.
Scheuer altered menu allergen information to falsely indicate certain items were safe for individuals with severe allergies, which could have led to fatal consequences, though none of the altered menus were distributed.
He also embedded offensive symbols, including a swastika, and changed wine region listings to locations of recent mass shootings on some menus.
Scheuer conducted denial-of-service attacks on the accounts of 14 Disney employees, including those involved in his firing, locking them out of their systems through automated login attempts.
As part of a plea deal, Scheuer agreed to pay restitution to Disney and faces up to 12 years in prison, with sentencing yet to be scheduled.