A Manhattan judge mocked a top Chipotle executive indicted in a cocaine ring by cracking food jokes during the suspect’s brief court appearance Thursday.
Mark Crumpacker, 53, who was leading the Mexican fast-food chain’s efforts to get back on its feet following an e. coli outbreak, sat in Manhattan Supreme Court looking melancholic as Judge Edward McLaughlin cracked jokes at his expense.
“I want to put the stupid puns aside, though I realize you may want some food for thought here,” McLaughlin said.
In response to Crumpacker’s lawyers’ later request for an Oct. 18 adjournment date, McLaughlin added, “If you want six weeks to chew on this that’s fine.”
Crumpacker – dressed in khakis and a blazer – entered the courthouse wearing sunglasses but took them off before the judge.
He was caught on wiretap 13 times during an investigation buying cocaine from an illicit courier service that delivered it to his Union Square-area apartment, authorities said.
Out of an 18-defendant indictment of alleged cocaine buyers, Crumpacker was one of the most impressive names.
Crumpacker, who was named Chipotle’s first Chief Marketing Officer in January 2009, is charged with seven misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.