Winsome Sears racist taunt goes viral — Scott Pogorelc fired after Lockheed Martin termination; Fairfax police decline criminal probe
A viral video captured Scott Pogorelc shouting racially charged taunts at Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears during a James Madison University football game Oct. 19, prompting his firing from Lockheed Martin and a police review that declined criminal charges.
Key takeaways
- Viral incident: Scott Pogorelc was recorded shouting “Go back to Haiti” and calling Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears a “traitor” at a JMU game, a clip that spread widely online.
- Employer action: Pogorelc, a senior engineer with Zeta Associates (a Lockheed Martin subsidiary), was terminated for conduct the company said violated ethics and core values.
- Police review: Fairfax County Police reviewed harassment claims tied to the viral fallout and determined the reported conduct did not warrant a criminal investigation.
- Public response: Earle-Sears corrected the nationality slur, emphasized resilience, and the episode renewed debate about accountability for public speech and employer discipline.
The incident at the game
Video posted online shows the confrontation at a James Madison University football game on Oct. 19. The clip captures a man later identified as Scott Pogorelc shouting at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. In the exchange he called her a “traitor” and told her, “Go back to Haiti.” The words quickly drew attention because Earle-Sears was born in Jamaica and is a U.S. citizen and Marine Corps veteran. The clip spread across social platforms and was picked up by national outlets (Inews report, Fox News).
Winsome Earle-Sears’ response
Earle-Sears responded publicly within hours. On social media and in interviews she corrected the error and pushed back against the slur, saying the taunt was factually wrong and hurtful.
“Words won’t break me or stop my campaign,” she said, noting that she is Jamaican and proud to be American.
Her response drew praise from some quarters and renewed scrutiny of how public officials of color are treated in public settings (Fox News).
Employer response and Lockheed Martin termination
Within hours after the video circulated, Pogorelc faced workplace consequences. He worked as a senior engineer with Zeta Associates, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin confirmed his termination, saying his conduct did not align with company ethics and core values. Company statements cited a breach of ethics policies and core values, though public remarks did not detail internal investigatory steps. Reporting noted Pogorelc did not issue a public apology or statement after his firing (Inews report, Fox8TV).
Police review of harassment claim
After the public reaction, Pogorelc filed a police report alleging he had been harassed following the viral spread of the video. Fairfax County Police reviewed the complaint and concluded the reported behavior did not rise to the level of a criminal investigation. The department said there was no credible threat or evidence to support criminal charges, effectively closing the law-enforcement side of the matter (Fox8TV).
Legal context: Insults and rude language, while harmful, do not always meet the legal standard for criminal harassment or threats; Fairfax County’s response reflects that legal distinction.
Broader context: recurring incidents and public reaction
This episode is part of a pattern of hostile encounters directed at Earle-Sears. Reporting shows earlier incidents included protesters displaying racially charged signs and imagery aimed at her during the campaign. Those events drew rebukes from political leaders across party lines and raised questions about civility in politics (Fox News, Video of earlier incident).
Public reaction to the JMU incident included condemnation from civic leaders and elected officials, and prompted debate about social media amplification, employer discipline for off-duty conduct, and law enforcement responses to viral complaints (Inews report, Fox News).
Accountability, ethics and government contractors
The episode raised questions about ethics and accountability for employees of defense and government contractors. Large contractors emphasize codes of conduct; when an employee’s public behavior undermines those values, companies often act swiftly to protect reputations and contractual relationships. Lockheed Martin’s termination of Pogorelc followed that familiar pattern (Inews report).
Implications for Las Vegas, Nevada
Economic impact: Las Vegas is home to many federal contractors and a large tourism sector that depends on a family-friendly image. High-profile incidents and swift employer responses can influence how local companies think about employee conduct and reputational risk.
Political consequences: The episode highlights how local campaigns and officials may need to address civility and public safety perceptions when national stories surface.
Social effects: Communities in Las Vegas that include Caribbean and African diasporas may feel heightened anxiety; civic groups and institutions may use incidents like this to promote conversations about race and respect.
Practical applications: Residents and employers should recognize that conduct at public events can have immediate professional and social consequences, prompting reassessments of training and policy (Inews report, Fox8TV).
Sources and further reading
- Inews report: “Virginia official faces racist taunt at football game, sparking national outrage”
- Fox News: “Winsome Sears responds … telling her ‘go back to Haiti’ …”
- Fox8TV: “Man who went viral for heckling Winsome Sears with racist comment dealt another blow after getting fired”
- Fox News: “Virginia leaders rebuke racist sign targeting GOP gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears”
- Video of earlier incident
Note: This reporting draws on local police statements and media accounts to detail the events, the employer’s response, and the Fairfax County Police Department’s decision that the harassment claim did not warrant a criminal probe.
