Allentown Employee Charged in Alleged Hate Crime Hoax Involving Noose

LaTarsha Brown, also a school board member, faces charges after DNA evidence linked her to the noose she reported finding on her desk.

LaTarsha Brown, an Allentown City employee and school board member, has been charged with two misdemeanors: tampering with evidence and filing false police reports.
The investigation began in January 2025 after Brown reported finding a noose on her desk at City Hall, prompting involvement from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.
DNA testing confirmed Brown's DNA on the noose, with no other profiles detected, leading to her identification as the alleged perpetrator.
Brown initially cooperated with the investigation but later requested it be discontinued; a search warrant was later obtained to collect her DNA.
City officials and law enforcement emphasized the seriousness of the incident, highlighting its implications for workplace trust and community relations.