Now, Debbie R. Miller has pleaded no-contest to a pair of criminal charges, including felony extortion.
Prosecutors say Miller planted the rat when she ate at The Seasons in Appleton.
Authorities say she demanded a-half million bucks from the owners or she would take her rat story to the media.
Instead of paying, the owners turned the rat over to insurance investigators.
It turned out be a domestic rat cooked in a microwave -- and the restaurant doesn't nuke its food.
Miller is to be sentenced in March.
