'Unacceptable' | Starbucks barista fired over cop cup pig controversy

The latest public relations gaff for Starbucks unfolded in Los Angeles County after a sheriff’s deputy claimed a barista handed him a coffee cup marked with a drawing of a pig on it.

Starbucks confirmed that the employee responsible has been fired, while stressing that the drawing was not intentionally directed at the deputy.

“This was unacceptable. We have reached out to the customer several times and to leaders in the Sheriff’s Department to apologize,” said Jaci Anderson, Starbucks’ Director of Global Communications. “Every customer should always be made to feel welcome in our stores.”

Anderson stated that the drawing was a reference to the meme “John Pork” rather than a targeted message aimed at law enforcement. She explained that the barista had been doodling on cups earlier in the day to boost morale among coworkers, and that a “series of unfortunate events” resulted in the cup being given to the deputy.