Allentown city employee charged with staging noose incident

In January 2025, LaTarsha Brown, an employee at Allentown City Hall in Pennsylvania, reported to the police that she had found a noose on her desk. This incident triggered a police investigation in which authorities sought to determine who had placed the noose, believed to be an act of hate. Initially, Brown cooperated with police, but she later requested that the investigation be discontinued. DNA testing was conducted on the noose, and on March 10, 2025, it was revealed that Brown's DNA matched the profiles found on the noose. Consequently, Brown was charged with filing false reports to law enforcement and tampering with evidence following the investigation's findings. The incident has raised concerns regarding workplace discrimination and social issues within the Allentown community. Supporters of Brown argue that the charges against her are unjust, claiming a history of discrimination and retaliation against her. Brown’s case has therefore ignited a broader conversation about diversity, inclusion, and potential workplace injustices in Allentown, although the city's administration has refrained from commenting on her employment status amidst the ongoing legal proceedings.