Noose claims roil Louisiana parish

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Another noose scandal is brewing, this time in the New Orleans area where parish officials have located a rope and other items deemed racially offensive.

The noose was reported to Jefferson Parrish administrators by an African-American sewer worker who alleged they were the handiwork of his department supervisor and had made him feel threatened.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune said aids to the parish president were sent to the scene Wednesday night and located a noose, a dartboard with a picture of an African-American man attached to it, and a sign that said "whipping post."

The supervisor in question is white.

The newspaper said the FBI was investigating to see if the incident constitutes a federal hate crime.