Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Laid off NASA JPL employee sues, claims he was let go for his beliefs in 'intelligent design'
Listen
• 0:54
In this March 7, 2012 photo, David Coppedge, left, is shown outside Los Angeles Superior Court with his attorney, William Becker. Coppedge, a mission specialist who claims he was demoted - and then let go - by Jet Propulsion Laboratory for his workplace comments promoting his views on intelligent design, the belief that a higher power must have had a hand in creation because life is too complex to have developed through evolution alone. His lawsuit alleging improper dismissal against NASA begins Monday, March 12 in Los Angeles.
(
Nick Ut/AP
)
Science and religion may clash this week in a Los Angeles courtroom, as an ex-employee of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) says he was let go because of his beliefs.
David Coppedge worked at JPL for 15 years as a computer specialist. He was a team leader on the Cassini mission that explored Saturn and its moons.
Coppedge is also an evangelical Christian who believes in "intelligent design." It’s an alternative theory to evolution that says a higher power must have had a hand in creation.
Coppedge would talk with his co-workers about his beliefs; he also handed out DVDs on the subject, and he says that’s why JPL demoted him in 2009 before firing him last year.
Support for LAist comes from
JPL says Coppedge was one of hundreds of employees laid off because of budget cuts, but they also say some of his colleagues complained about Coppedge and said he was harassing them.
Coppedge got a written warning about that. JPL says he was demoted because of those ongoing conflicts.
Coppedge says his rights were violated, and he’s suing for damages.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist