Gordon Werner

Saturday December 22, 12:07 pm Eastern Time

US Airways probes hate crimes after nooses found

WASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - US Airways is investigating a third incident in which a hangman's noose was left in one of its offices, a company spokesman said on Saturday.

The latest noose was found in the doorway of an employee break room in Pittsburgh, said Rick Weintraub, spokesman for the sixth-largest U.S. airline. Earlier this year, staff found nooses at US Airways' Houston and Philadelphia operations.

"We thought that we had brought a stop to these actions through firm but quiet measures. Last week, however, a noose was found in Pittsburgh," Chairman and Chief Executive Stephen Wolf said in a staff memo dated Dec. 20.

"To those responsible for these acts let me be clear -- we will not rest until we have found you and prosecuted you to the fullest extent of the law."

Citing company sources, The Washington Post on Saturday said the Pittsburgh noose was placed next to the office door of a black manager.

US Airways declined to provide details.

Wolf, who took over US Airways Group Inc. in late November after Rakesh Gangwal resigned, described the nooses as "blatant hate crimes."

He said the company was conducting an internal investigation and had contacted the FBI, which is investigating the Houston and Philadelphia incidents.

"I'm asking you to make it your highest priority to create the kind of work environment where every member of the US Airways family feels welcomed," Wolf's memo said.