Pennsylvania School Board Member and City Official Charged with Fabricating Hate Crime
A Pennsylvania city official and school board member, LaTarsha Brown, is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after allegedly staging a fake hate crime—drawing comparisons to disgraced actor Jussie Smollett.
According to WFMZ-TV, Brown, 42, who works at Allentown City Hall and serves on the Allentown School Board, falsely reported that an unidentified person placed a small noose-like object on her desk in January. However, an extensive police investigation concluded that Brown herself was responsible for planting the item.
The Fake Hate Crime: How It Unfolded
On January 10, Brown called the Allentown Police Department (APD) to report a hate crime, claiming she found an object resembling a noose on her work desk at City Hall.
Police records show that Brown immediately emailed coworkers and HR officials about the discovery, describing the event in a dramatic six-paragraph email.
APD’s crime scene unit responded and collected the object for forensic analysis. The investigation quickly escalated as authorities sought to determine who placed the alleged “noose” in Brown’s office.
DNA Evidence Exposes the Hoax
In a critical breakthrough, forensic investigators conducted DNA testing on the object. The results revealed that Brown’s own DNA was a match to the evidence.
Between January 13 and January 29, investigators interviewed and DNA-tested nine employees working on the same floor as Brown. None of their DNA was found on the object—effectively debunking her story.
Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca confirmed the findings:
“Every city employee agreed to DNA testing, except for Ms. Brown. Initially cooperative, she later requested that the investigation be discontinued.”
WATCH:
School board member of @AllentownSD was charged for allegedly staging her own hate crime with a noose. She’s also a City employee in Allentown, PA. Our tax dollars pay her salary. She needs to resign or be fired from both positions.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Brown has been charged with:
✅ Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence (Second-degree misdemeanor)
✅ Making false reports to law enforcement (Third-degree misdemeanor)
Despite the criminal charges, Brown remains employed at City Hall—a decision that has sparked public outrage.
She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 22 before Magisterial District Judge Karen Devine.
Defenders Cry “Smear Campaign”
In a bizarre defense, Brown’s ally, Josie Lopez, a local activist, dismissed the evidence and claimed the charges are politically motivated:
“This is not just an attack on LaTarsha. This is a warning to anyone in Allentown who dares to stand up against injustice. This is a smear campaign. This is retaliation. Let me be clear. LaTarsha Brown is innocent. LaTarsha Brown deserves justice.”
Public Outrage: Calls for Resignation
The revelation that a high-ranking city employee and school board member allegedly fabricated a hate crime has sparked widespread backlash.
Taxpayers are demanding that Brown resign or be fired from both her City Hall position and the Allentown School Board.
As the case moves forward, many are asking whether justice will be served, or if the woke political establishment will protect Brown from facing the full consequences of her actions.