LA VISTA — An employee at the Oriental Trading Co. who left a noose on the chair of a Black colleague has been fired and authorities are looking into whether hate crime charges should be brought in the case.
“We are saddened and angry that a member of our Oriental Trading family was recently targeted in a racial incident. We absolutely do not tolerate hate or racism in our company,” Oriental Trading President and CEO Steve Mendlik said.
After learning about “this cowardly act" at its office in La Vista, Mendlik said in an emailed statement that the company launched an internal investigation and filed a report with local law enforcement.
The Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident, Lt. Dan Golda said, adding that its results will be sent to the county attorney who will decide whether to file charges.
