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.
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.
Tipster Who Led Police to Ronni Chasen's Murderer is Suing for Reward Money
()
When Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen was shot six times in her car on her way home from a movie premiere, the film community was shocked. So shocked, in fact, that two men who knew Chasen offered up a hefty reward for anyone who provided information about her killer.
Well, someone did, and now he claims that Harold Matzner and Michael Levine are reneging on their promise of reward money totaling $125,000.
According to the Huffington Post, police were short on leads for a while after Chasen's murder. But then a tipster called in to the show "America's Most Wanted," claiming that he lived in the same building as convicted felon Harold Martin Smith, and had heard Smith make statements that linked him inextricably to the murder.
Police followed up on the lead, and when they showed up at Smith's house, he fatally shot himself in the head.
Support for LAist comes from
The case was closed, but Matzner and Michael Levine have refused to pay the tipster, identified only as John Doe. Matzner, for one, said that he won't cough up the dough because the killer wasn't arrested and convicted, per the terms of the reward.
Doe has filed a lawsuit claiming fraud and breach of contract.
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
-
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility. -
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism. -
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best.
Best of LAist