Pennsylvania School Board Member LaTarsha Brown Charged in Alleged Race Hoax Involving Fake Noose Incident
A left-leaning Pennsylvania city official and school board member is facing criminal charges after allegedly staging a fake hate crime in a case that is drawing comparisons to the infamous Jussie Smollett hoax.
LaTarsha Brown, a 42-year-old employee of Allentown City Hall and member of the Allentown School Board, has been charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and making false reports to law enforcement following a months-long investigation into a disturbing incident that authorities say was staged.
The Alleged Hoax
According to a police affidavit cited by WFMZ-TV, Brown contacted the Allentown Police Department on January 10, claiming that an unknown person had placed an object resembling a noose on her desk at work—implying a racially motivated threat.
Brown initially cooperated with the investigation and voluntarily came in for questioning. However, her story quickly unraveled after investigators collected DNA samples from nine employees who worked on the same floor.
DNA Evidence Reveals the Truth
None of the other employees’ DNA matched the sample taken from the noose. Instead, Brown’s own DNA was the only match identified, strongly suggesting she planted the object herself. Authorities confirmed that Brown later requested the investigation be discontinued after initially engaging with investigators.
“Every city employee agreed to provide a DNA sample—except for Ms. Brown,” said Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca at a press conference Monday. “The DNA analysis led us to the facts.”
Despite facing criminal charges, Brown remains employed at City Hall as of this writing, a detail that has sparked public backlash and calls for accountability.
Legal Consequences
Brown is charged with:
- Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence – a second-degree misdemeanor
- Making false reports to law enforcement – a third-degree misdemeanor
If convicted, she could face fines, probation, or jail time, though penalties for misdemeanors typically depend on prior record and judicial discretion.
Political and Cultural Reaction
Critics argue this incident is emblematic of a broader cultural issue—what some describe as a political climate that incentivizes racial victimhood and rewards individuals who portray themselves as targets of systemic oppression, even through deception.
“The demand for racism often exceeds the supply,” some commentators observed online, drawing attention to the increasing number of similar incidents that turn out to be fabricated.
This case is already being compared to Jussie Smollett, the actor convicted for staging a hate crime in Chicago in 2019. Like that case, Brown’s situation has reignited debates over racial hoaxes, public trust, and the role of political narratives in local governance.
What Happens Next?
While the legal process unfolds, it remains unclear whether Brown will face administrative consequences from either Allentown City Hall or the Allentown School Board, where she continues to serve.
Public reaction continues to mount, with local residents and media demanding transparency and urging officials to take appropriate disciplinary action.
This case adds to a growing list of incidents that have raised serious concerns about false accusations and their impact on community relations, police resources, and the credibility of genuine victims of hate crimes.
