The barista let go after handing the sheriff’s deputy a coffee mug with a drawing of a pig
FOX Business’ Lauren Simonetti reports on the latest lawsuits hitting Starbucks as baristas in multiple states say the company’s new dress code is illegal and forcing them to pay out of pocket.
A Starbucks barista who gave a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy a coffee mug with a pig painted on it has been fired, the world-famous coffee house has confirmed.
This action came after an internal investigation into the incident received a response from the law enforcement agency.
According to Starbucks, the employee who gave the drink to the deputy has separated from the company, although the drawing was placed on the cup earlier in the day.
The company said the prototype was originally intended to improve backend partners, not to be given to a customer.
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Starbucks terminated an employee after Deputy Brandon Longoria found a coffee mug with a picture of a pig in the Norwalk, Calif., area during his shift. (Google Maps / Google Maps)
Starbucks also said that it tried to quickly fix the situation inside the store and has fixed it.
“This was unacceptable. We have spoken with the customer several times and with the leaders of the Sheriff’s Department to apologize,” said a spokesperson to FOX Business.
“We immediately started an investigation and we are taking immediate steps to correct this,” they continued. “We are very grateful and we respect the law enforcement officers, who are dedicated to keeping our communities safe.”
The drawing, which is a popular meme with no ties to law enforcement, “was not intended to be delivered to any customer, nor was it appropriate,” the spokesperson said.
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A Starbucks barista who gave a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy a coffee mug with a pig painted on it has been fired, the company confirms. Starbucks said the decision follows an internal investigation and that the painting was intended to improve the empl (Angus Mordant/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The pig featured in the mug is referred to as “John Pork,” an Internet meme featuring a cartoon pig that is often used in jokes or satirical writing on the Internet.
The incident happened at the Starbucks on Firestone Boulevard and Pioneer Boulevard in Norwalk.
The deputy involved, Brandon Longoria, reportedly stopped running for coffee while working a 16-hour shift.
Longoria later shared her experience on her social media account and, according to the New York Post, called the incident “disappointing and disrespectful.”
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“What I wanted was caffeine, but instead it left me uncomfortable,” Longoria reportedly wrote online. (Business Wire/Starbucks)
“What I wanted was caffeine, but instead it left me uncomfortable,” he reportedly wrote online.
The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs also released a statement on Instagram saying they are “aware of and disappointed by the latest incident.”
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“We hope that this was an isolated incident and that it does not reflect the values of the society in which Starbucks was founded, and that it will be dealt with properly and a sincere apology will be given to the community,” said Richard Pippin, president of the union.
“All customers should always be made to feel welcome in our stores,” said a Starbucks spokesperson.
