I-Team: Three fired in noose incident

WARWICK, R.I.—Three people were fired in connection with a possible hate crime on the grounds of T.F. Green Airport, NBC 10’s I-Team reported Monday.

On Feb. 15, a co-worker of John Valles found a noose hanging over Valles’ desk on a day he was on vacation.

The desk is located in a shack owned by Allied Aviation.

“I was very angry. I was just more upset than angry. I was disappointed…I’ve felt uncomfortable ever since,“ said Valles who is African-American.

Valles said one of his co-workers, who allegedly admitted to making the noose, had used racial remarks when referring to Valles in the past.

“I had a problem with one of the guys who done it,“ Valles said. “A few weeks prior to that, a few employees were telling me that when I’m not around (the guy) refers to me using racial names.“

A representative for Allied told the I-Team, “We do not tolerate any type of activity like this. We terminated three people.“

The company fired two employees for hanging the noose. The third worker, Eric Carlin, was fired for using a company cell phone to take a picture of the noose for evidence. Carlin is suing the company.

Valles said when he filed a complaint with the Rhode Island Airport Police about a possible hate crime, he was given the cold shoulder.

“I got the run around,“ he said. “I was told the company did the right thing by firing them and I should just basically let it be that.“

A spokeswoman for the airport said Airport Police have an on-going investigation into this incident and have no further comment.