NJ Senator Faces Backlash After He Tweet-Shames 'Jerk' Tipper

COLTS NECK, NJ — A New Jersey state senator is defending his actions Thursday after receiving criticism for calling a diner who left a 74-cent tip on a $119 meal a "jerk" on Twitter.

Declan O'Scanlon, who represents the part of Monmouth County in 13th District in the state Senate, tweeted a photo of a receipt from the Colts Neck Inn Steak & Chop House showing the miniscule tip on the $119.26 bill from a meal on Aug. 12.

"Wow...have to work to qualify for my calling you out specifically as a jerk," O'Scanlon wrote. "But Anthony Dierlof qualifies. Ashley is a great waitress and wonderful human being. Certainly not a malicious bone in her body. Makes Anthony...a jerk. Live with your misplaced obnoxiousness."

The photo of the receipt not only shows Dierolf's name (which O'Scanlon misspelled in the tweet) and signature, it also shows the information about his debit card, which was used to pay for the meal.

It was not immediately clear who took the photo of the receipt, but the exposure of Dierolf's personal information in the tweet drew criticism from several people who responded to it.

"As obnoxious as this tip is, not sure doxxing someone on social media is right. But what do I know," Ed Pomphrey wrote.

"I think you are completely out of line for sharing this guy’s information and Ashley should be fired for taking a picture of the patrons receipt and information... Shame on you Declan," said Edward Henderson.

"State senators should not be outing people because they tip bad. The person who did this is an ass, but c'mon man..." wrote a Twitter user by the name of Andrew JL.

Others who responded took the opportunity to point out that O'Scanlon voted against the law that will slowly increase the state's minimum wage until it reaches $15 per hour in 2027. That law also includes a provision that increased the minimum wage for workers who receive tips to $7.37 per hour as of July 1, and to $9.87 in 2024.

"Pay people the minimum wage and this wouldn't be a problem," Jerry Jackson wrote.

O'Scanlon, who is the chief executive officer of FSD Enterprises in Red Bank, was one of 14 Republicans who voted against the minimum wage increase, and he was harshly critical of Gov. Phil Murphy and the Democrats in the state Legislature, saying the law would cause serious job losses.

O'Scanlon replied to one Twitter user who questioned the photo as lacking context by saying Dierolf did not leave a cash tip in addition to what was on the receipt.

A message left for O'Scanlon seeking further additional information on the incident was not immediately returned. He told the Asbury Park Press that he is a regular customer of the Colts Neck Inn.

A person who answered the phone at the Colts Neck Inn Thursday afternoon said a manager was unavailable to discuss the matter.

Attempts to locate Dierolf for comment on the matter were unsuccessful. An address and phone number in Pennsylvania were located, but a call to the phone number was met with a busy signal.

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