VIDEO: Company fires kindly toll collector for paying someone's toll

A toll collector in the US has been fired for paying someone's toll.

VIDEO: Company fires kindly toll collector for paying someone's toll

A toll collector in the US has been fired for paying someone's toll.

Vladislav Samsonov, who is known as Sam, said he charged a truck driver too little last week, and when he realized his mistake, he paid the money owed himself.

Samsonov, who has been working at the toll booth for 30 years, said: "I'd put the six dollars in, I got the six dollars back the next day. In my eyes there was no crime committed, I just helped somebody out."

He said he had paid other drivers' tolls at the Boca Grande Causeway before if they didn't have enough cash, and he had been asked not to do it, but was never given a formal written warning.

As punishment for his most recent act of kindness, the authority reduced his working week from five to two days, which he declined, so he was fired.

"If I can't be trusted for five days, how can I be trusted for two days?" Samsonov said.

A Facebook page has since been set up to support the beloved toll collector.

For Samsonov, a 77-year-old military veteran, the job was more about the people than the money.

He said: "After 29 years, you can't help it. I gave children suckers 20 years ago. Now I'm giving those children suckers for their children. They were my family." Samsonov said.

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority wouldn't comment, saying they do not discuss personnel matters.

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