good point. i did not realize that

yet another google “proxy” : https://www.lukol.com/

ask for an exact transcript of what your coworker said.
you need to go back and reframe the situation for what it is.
example: coworker: they stole! … vs … you: there was spare food, that i had good reason to utilize.
if they already formed a perception based on your coworker, then you could either just accept defeat… or walk out ("im not having this conversation because you are pre-decided on your interpretation).
maybe talk to a lawyer.

Community is alot of syllables and letters to type out. could we come up with slang for it?