E-M5 tripod socket damage

Not if he can rip out a tripod socket with his fingers. Most of us could not exert that kind of torque on the standard knurled end on the 1/4-20 bolt seen on most tripods, cross threaded or not.

If it were not a 1000 dollar camera, I would just say "Shucks, if the old bushing still has a good thread, glue it in with JB-weld (epoxy)."

But that stuff is runny, and if there is a opening under that plate, it will flow right thru it and probably inhibit any future repairs. Probably best to pull the bottom plate and see how it's made. Then order the parts.