Noose, Looped Around Head Of Fake Chicken, Found Hanging In Office Of Black State Worker

A noose looped around the head of a fake chicken was found hanging in the office of an African-American worker at the Department of Developmental Services regional office in Torrington, CT, a state senator has been told.

Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, provided to The (Hartford) Courant the photographs of the noose and other information she has received from people familiar with the incident. She said the African-American worker may have been questioning or “pushing back” against certain DDS practices or policies. Complaints about the incident have been lodged internally with DDS supervisors, Somers was told.

DDS officials on Monday confirmed they are “actively investigating reports of racially offensive incidents.” They declined to comment further.

In a department-wide email sent to staff on Monday afternoon, DDS Commissioner Jordan Scheff said he had “recently become aware of some racially offensive incidents that have purportedly taken place at DDS offices.” He said internal Investigations “were launched as soon as the information was reported. While we do not yet have the results of these investigations, please know that we take all allegations of this nature seriously,” Scheff said.

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-noose-racial-incident-state-office-0911-story.html