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Bistro: Worker who claimed anti-gay receipt now gone

The New Jersey restaurant that employed a server who said a customer scribbled an anti-gay remark on a receipt – which garnered national attention – said she is no longer working there.

A follow-up news report cast doubt on whether the story was true.

The Gallop Asian Bistro in Bridgewater, Somerset County, posted a message over the weekend on its Facebook page that it investigated the claims by Dayna Morales that a couple wrote on a receipt that that they could not tip her because of her 'lifestyle.'

However, the investigation concluded that: "Despite news reports to the contrary, this is not a simple, straight-forward matter and we have conducted our own internal investigation. The results of that investigation are inconclusive as to exactly what happened between Ms. Morales and the customers that night. However, in light of the investigation and recent events, both Ms. Morales and Gallop Asian Bistro have made a joint decision that Ms. Morales will no longer continue her employment at our restaurant. We wish her well in the future."

Morales made national headlines when she produced a receipt purportedly from a customer that contained a hand-written message, saying, "I'm sorry but I cannot tip because I do not agree with your lifestyle."

Morales, a former Marine, sent an image of a receipt with the writing to the organization Have A Gay Day, which posted it on the group's Facebook page. It took off from there and tips pored in from around the country. Morales said she would donate the money to a Wounded Warriors program.

But a television news reporter from NBC 4 out of New York tracked down the customers, a couple, who insisted they did not write such a note and did, in fact, tip Morales. The couple produced an original receipt and credit card that supported their claim.

The family indicated that Morales had what appeared to be, in their eyes, an altered copy of their original receipt. The family members said they are not anti-gay, and, in fact, voted against Chris Christie for his stand on same-sex marriage.

The husband and wife, who asked to remain anonymous, had a receipt printed at the same minute, on the same date, for the same $93.55 total - but with an $18 tip. The couple also produced a Visa bill confirming they were charged a total of $111.55 by the restaurant and believe their original receipt was doctored.

Said the wife: "We would never leave a note like that."

Morales, however, stuck to her story.

However, the true story is now murkier than ever.

And apparently, it has not been good for the bistro's business.

"Overall, this has been an unfortunate incident for Gallop Asian Bistro, our employees, and our customers," the owners posted on Facebook. "We are dedicated to providing excellent Asian cuisine and superior service. We have the utmost faith in our management and staff and we welcome the opportunity to serve our customers."