Allentown city worker charged after staging fake hate crime, DNA links her to noose
By isabelle // 2025-03-25
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  • Allentown employee LaTarsha Brown faces charges for allegedly planting a noose at her desk and falsely reporting it as a hate crime.
  • Police found only Brown’s DNA on the noose after she resisted providing a sample until compelled by court order.
  • The incident initially sparked protests before evidence revealed the hoax, drawing comparisons to the Jussie Smollett case.
  • Supporters claim Brown is innocent, calling the charges retaliation, while critics suggest she exploited racial tensions.
  • Brown now faces misdemeanor charges, with a hearing set for April 22, raising concerns about false hate crime claims.
In a case that has drawn comparisons to the Jussie Smollett scandal, Allentown city employee LaTarsha Brown is facing criminal charges after allegedly planting a noose at her own desk and falsely reporting it as a hate crime. Police confirmed that Brown’s DNA was the only genetic material found on the noose—a damning revelation that came only after she refused to voluntarily provide a sample and had to be compelled by a court order. The incident, which initially sparked outrage and protests, now raises questions about whether Brown sought to exploit racial tensions for personal or political gain, much like Smollett’s widely debunked 2019 attack claims. On January 10, Brown, a 42-year-old employee in Allentown’s community and economic development department and a member of the Allentown School Board, reported finding a noose on her desk at City Hall. The discovery immediately triggered a police investigation and a wave of public anger, with local leaders like City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach condemning the act as a “hate crime.” Protesters rallied behind Brown, demanding justice — until the evidence told a different story. Investigators asked all employees who had access to Brown’s workspace to submit DNA samples. While every other worker complied, Brown refused, even requesting that the probe be discontinued. Authorities obtained her DNA through a court order, and the results were unequivocal: her genetic material was the only match found on both the inner knot and outer surface of the noose.

False victimhood

The case bears striking similarities to the Jussie Smollett saga, in which the actor falsely claimed he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack to bolster his public profile. While police have not publicly speculated on Brown’s motives, the circumstances suggest she may have sought to position herself as a victim of racial animus — a narrative that could have served her politically. Given the timing, amid heightened national tensions over race and policing, critics argue the hoax could have been designed to fuel claims of rising racism under conservative leadership. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk called the charges “shocking,” particularly because they involved a city employee. But Brown’s supporters, undeterred by the evidence, have doubled down. Community organizer Josie Lopez dismissed the charges as “retaliation” and a “smear campaign,” insisting that Brown is innocent somehow. “This is a warning to anyone in Allentown who dares to stand up against injustice,” Lopez declared, urging the public to rally behind Brown. The case underscores the dangers of rushing to assume guilt. Hate crimes are abhorrent and must be taken seriously, but false allegations undermine real victims and erode public trust. Brown now faces misdemeanor charges of making a false report and tampering with evidence, with a preliminary hearing set for April 22. Whether she was motivated by personal ambition, political maneuvering, or something else entirely, Brown’s alleged deception has done a huge disservice to those who genuinely suffer from racial hatred. And for a public that is growing increasingly skeptical of sensational claims, this case serves as a cautionary tale: demand evidence before you rush to join the chorus of indignation and outrage. Sources for this article include: NYPost.com DailyMail.co.uk NBCPhiladelphia.com
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