LaTarsha Brown Allentown city hall worker: victim of hate crime or self perpetuating claim of racism? Pennsylvania investigators say DNA testing points to black worker fabricating alleged racism incident and staging hoax, with worker insisting she is a victim of a ‘smear campaign.’
A ‘black’ Pennsylvania city hall worker is accused of attempting to pose as a victim of a ‘manufactured’ hate crime after planting a noose at her own desk, police said.
Allentown Police Department in a Facebook release said LaTarsha Brown reported finding the rope on the desk of her office on the morning of January 10 earlier this year.
Cops launched a criminal investigation and submitted the noose to the Pennsylvania State Police crime lab for DNA testing.
DNA testing lead back to LaTarsha Brown
Brown following her arrest on Monday was charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and false reports to law enforcement, Allentown Chief of Police Charles Roca announced according to CBS News.
‘Today, we’re even more surprised to learn that it was likely fabricated by the employee herself,’ Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, a Democrat, said.
On March 10, forensic investigators found Brown’s DNA on swabs from both the outer surface and inner knotted portion of the noose after it was taken apart.
No one else’s DNA was detected on any part of the rope, police said.
The evidence suggested Brow herself placing the rope noose on her own desk, all the while trying to portray the incident as her being victimised in an alleged hate crime.
The finding came after cops trawled video surveillance and building access control records to identify which city employees were present on the third floor of Allentown City Hall where Brown works to try to identify a potential suspect.
Except there was no other suspect.
Why would Allentown City Hall worker plant rope noose?
Cops interviewed each employee and asked them to provide a buccal swab for DNA testing.
‘Every city employee agreed, except for Ms. Brown,’ Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca told a press conference about the case on Monday, the dailymail reported.
‘Initially cooperative, Ms. Brown later requested that the investigation be discontinued.’
The hate crime investigation subsequently turned into a probe against Brown herself.
She was charged on Monday with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence – a second-degree misdemeanor, and making false reports to law enforcement, which is a third-degree misdemeanor.
Third-degree misdemeanors carry a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail, and a fine of up to $2,500 under Pennsylvania law.
Cops released an image of the object left on Brown’s desk, which comprised a small black rope tied into a noose shape.
It remained unclear why the ‘black’ politician allegedly staged herself as a victim of hate crime.
When asked about Brown’s motive, Allentown Police Chief Roca said, ‘At this point, we’re not going to discuss that.’
Victim of hate crime or manufacturing racism?
Josie Lopez, a community organizer and friend of Brown’s, claimed Monday that Brown has faced discrimination and retaliation in the past and believes her friend is innocent.
‘This is not just an attack on LaTarsha. This is a warning to anyone in Allentown who dares to stand up against injustice,’ Lopez said. ‘This is a smear campaign. This is retaliation. Let me be clear. LaTarsha Brown is innocent. LaTarsha Brown deserves justice.’
Lopez added that Brown has admitted to planting ‘touching’ the noose.
‘Yet instead of focusing on who put it there, they are trying to turn this against her, as if she is responsible for the very act of hate committed against her,’ Lopez said.
Of note, Brown continues to remain a City Hall employee. Brown is also a member of the Allentown School Board. Allentown leaders would not comment on the future of Brown’s employment status with the city.
She is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on April 22 before Magisterial District Judge Karen Devine.
Allentown is located in eastern Pennsylvania, around 60 miles north of Philadelphia.
