PA Freedom Caucus: Hate Crime Hoaxers Should Pay a Stiffer Penalty
March 27th, 2025 - Harrisburg, PA
On the heels of another staged hate crime, this time from a Democrat City Hall employee and local school board member in Allentown, the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus is poised to take legislative action to ensure hate crime hoaxers are brought to justice.
PA Freedom Caucus member, Joanne Stehr (Schuylkill), plans to introduce legislation to enhance the penalty for perpetrators who fabricate evidence, mislead investigators, and knowingly make false reports about a would-be hate crime.
“Genuine hate crimes are egregious acts, but fake hate crimes that incriminate innocent people and cast doubt on communities should garner the same outrage and a similar penalty under the law,” said Stehr. “Hate crime hoaxes maliciously mislead investigators and minimize legitimate hate crimes. My bill aims to deter staged or fake hate crimes in the future.”
“At a time when the legacy media and political left continue to drive a divisive wedge into our communities, it’s important to call out those deceitful and salacious acts which falsely conjure up anger and disunity,” said PA Freedom Caucus Chairman, Robert Leadbeter (Columbia). “These instances of hoax hate crimes must be met with strict justice.”