BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — The waitress now accused of fabricating a story of being left a homophobic note in lieu of a tip has a reputation for lying, according to former colleagues and friends.
Dayna Morales, 22, a server at the Gallop Asian Bistro in Bridgewater, N.J., has claimed that she was stiffed on a $93.55 check by a family of four because they disapproved of her lesbian “lifestyle.”
Morales, said that on Nov. 13, she received an offensive note scrawled on the customer’s check in lieu of a tip. The message said: “I’m sorry but I cannot tip because I don’t agree with your lifestyle and how you live your life.”
But on Monday, a New Jersey couple came forward to dispute her story, telling WNBC-TV that Morales’ story is a scam, that they did not write that note, that they tipped her generously, and they have the matching receipt and credit card statement to support their claim.
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And now, former co-workers and friends allege the tale is just another of Morales’ many lies, reported The Journal News.
“She lies about everything,” said Karolee Larkin, a former classmate and co-worker.
Morales has been caught in multiple lies, telling co-workers she shaved her head because she had brain cancer and later telling them it was her friend who had brain cancer, her colleagues and friends said.
They said she also told co-workers at a day care center where she once worked that Superstorm Sandy severely damaged her home in Stony Point, and sent a boat into her living room. Concerned co-workers dropped by her home and found only minor damage to the carpet by her front door and no sign of a boat, they said.
“Every story she comes up with has a lie,” said Julie Howat, 23, of Pomona.
High school acquaintances and former colleagues of Morales said the revelations confirmed their suspicions about Morales’ original story. In the past, Morales has sought sympathy from friends and co-workers through questionable stories, Howat said.
“Any tragedy that happened, she had to be a part of it,” Howat said. “She needed sympathy and empathy.”
But this case has enraged Howat because people from all over the world were sending Morales money after hearing the story.
“It’s like she’s taking it to a whole other level,” Howat said. “Now you’re lying to people to get their money. It’s not even for sympathy now.”
Former co-workers said Morales also told people she was a former Marine who was sent to Afghanistan and that everyone in her platoon died in an explosion except her.
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“There is no indication of combat service in Iraq or Afghanistan,” he said.
Morales has been unavailable for comment since her story has come under scrutiny, and her manager at Gallop Asian Bistro said she is “currently not on the schedule” to work.
The restaurant said Tuesday it had no comment, pending its own internal investigation.
