Waiter returns lost $424,000 check, despite being stiffed on tip

NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) - A waiter has returned a cashier's check worth nearly $424,000 to the retired social worker who lost it.

Last Saturday, Armando Markaj was working at Patsy's restaurant in East Harlem when a woman came in for lunch. She seemed to enjoy the food, but when the bill came, she suddenly had an issue, demanding to know why are there not more women on the wall of the restaurant.

The woman was upset about the pizzeria's photo wall and how it didn't have enough women on it according to her. Markaj didn't know what to say and the woman left without leaving a tip.

While cleaning off her table, Markaj found a bank envelope.

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Markaj ran outside but the customer was gone. He opened the envelope and got a shock.

After an unsuccessful search, the restaurant's owner called the Daily News for help.

A "relieved" Karen Vinacour was reunited with her check on Wednesday. It contained proceeds from her apartment sale, earmarked for a down payment on a new home.

Vinacour had not tipped the waiter after her meal. She tried to rectify that but he graciously declined.

Markaj, who's working his way through school, did accept Vinacour's apology and gratitude and said he's "happy for her."

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Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com and WPIX.

Associated Press