HATE HOAX: PA Government Employee Faces Charges For Staging Hate Crime Against Herself
A Pennsylvania city employee who called police in January to report a noose she found on her desk is now facing criminal charges after allegedly placing it there herself.
LaTarsha Brown, a black woman, called the Allentown Police Department on January 10 and reported that she found what she believed was a noose placed on her desk, located on the third floor of Allentown City Hall. Brown is a an employee for the central Pennsylvania city’s government, though her exact position has not been disclosed.
Police shared a photo of the alleged noose with NBC News, which appears to have been tiny and made out of black string.
Photo: Allentown Police Department via NBC News
Police immediately launched an investigation to find the culprit, during which they reviewed video surveillance and building access control records to identify anyone who was on the third floor the night before the noose was found.
“Those employees were interviewed, and each was asked if they would provide a buccal swab for DNA testing if needed,” investigators announced in a press release Monday. “Every city employee agreed, except for Ms. Brown. Initially cooperative, Ms. Brown later requested that the investigation be discontinued.”
In late January, the noose was submitted for DNA testing at a Pennsylvania State Police crime lab, while a search warrant for Brown’s DNA was approved by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office. Her DNA was then collected and submitted to a crime lab for comparison with DNA profiles recovered from the noose.
“On March 10, 2025, the Forensic DNA Division of the Pennsylvania State Police issued a written report indicating that Ms. Brown’s DNA matched the DNA profile obtained from the swabs of both the outer surface and the inner knotted portion of the noose after taken apart,” police said. “No other person’s DNA profiles was found on the evidentiary items involved in this investigation.”
The Allentown city employee has been charged with filing false reports to law enforcement, a misdemeanor in the third degree. She has also been charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, a second-degree misdemeanor. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 22, Fox News reported.
“No other person’s DNA profile was found on the evidentiary items involved in this investigation,” the news release added.
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Allentown city officials have not disclosed Brown’s job title, though they have indicated that she is still employed. Mayor Matt Tuerk described the incident as “serious” and stated that his office is cooperating with investigators.
“This was a serious incident that deeply impacts employees who are dedicated to serving Allentown, and we’re praying for peace for all affected,” Tuerk’s office shared in a statement.
“We’re grateful for the work of Allentown PD, Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI for their thorough investigation. We remain committed to a safe, welcoming workplace in our city.”
