With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
TMZ Guilts Church Of Scientology Into Tipping Pizza Delivery Guys
The church was hungry for pizza (Photo by Stephen Falk via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
In modern times, bad tippers can expect to find themselves publicly shamed via the court of the Internet. Most recently, the Church of Scientology was caught stiffing two pizza delivery guys. The Thetans were hungry one day at the Church of Scientology and ordered themselves 180 pizzas from Papa John's, TMZ reports. If you're curious how it broke down, it was allegedly 60 plain cheese, 20 vegetarian and 100 of your standard issue pepperoni.
It took two delivery men four trips to deliver all the pizza. However, when they presented the check for $2,094.89, they received nothing for a tip. Nada! Zilch! Zero!
The Papa John's manager gave each of the delivery guys $10 as a consolation prize.
However, TMZ actually saved the day. After reporting the slight, a representative from the Church contacted them saying that senior officials were "shocked and embarrassed" and sent over $300. Phew.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
