Virginia Man Who Shouted “Go Back to Haiti” at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears Is Fired by Lockheed Martin; Fairfax Police Decline Harassment Probe
Scott Pogorelc of Centreville, Virginia, was fired by Lockheed Martin after a viral video showed him shouting “Go back to Haiti!” at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears at an October 19 James Madison University football game; police declined a harassment probe.
- Viral outburst: Video shows Scott Pogorelc directing racial taunts at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears during a JMU game.
- Employment consequences: Pogorelc, a senior engineer at Zeta Associates (a Lockheed Martin subsidiary), was terminated for violating the company’s ethics code (Hampton Roads Beacon).
- Police response: Fairfax County Police reviewed a harassment report filed by Pogorelc and said the evidence did not meet the threshold for a criminal investigation (Hampton Roads Beacon).
What happened at the JMU game
Video from the October 19 James Madison University game shows a man near the field directing slurs at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears as she watched the action. The man shouted “Go back to Haiti!” and also called her a “traitor,” language captured on clear audio and shared widely online. A separate clip of the incident was posted by media outlets and circulated on social platforms (Fox News video).
“I am proud to be an American,” Earle-Sears said in response, correcting the false assumption embedded in the taunt and emphasizing her resilience and continued campaign efforts (Fox News).
Why the video went viral
The clip attracted attention because it targeted a high-profile, statewide elected official at a crowded public event and contained audible racial language. The combination of a public forum, a recognizable political figure and clear audio made the exchange easily shareable and sparked national debate about civility and safety at public events (iNews).
Who is Scott Pogorelc
Local reporting identified the man in the video as Scott Pogorelc of Centreville, Virginia; he attended the game to watch his son, who plays for JMU (iNews).
Pogorelc worked as a senior engineer for Zeta Associates, a company operating under the Lockheed Martin umbrella. After public outcry when the video spread, the company said his behavior violated its Code of Ethics and terminated his employment (Hampton Roads Beacon).
Lockheed Martin and workplace consequences
Lockheed Martin and subsidiaries work closely with the federal government and maintain strict workplace and ethics rules. The company said Pogorelc’s conduct was inconsistent with corporate values and acted after reviewing the matter — illustrating how employers tied to national security contracts may respond quickly when off-duty behavior becomes public and reputationally harmful (Hampton Roads Beacon).
Police review and harassment complaint
After the video circulated, Pogorelc filed a report with Fairfax County police saying he had been harassed online and received threats. Fairfax County Police said its threat assessment unit reviewed the report and determined the information did not meet criteria for a criminal investigation, noting the legal standard for harassment often requires specific or escalating criminal threats (Hampton Roads Beacon).
Public and political reaction
The incident drew condemnation across the political spectrum. Coverage documented how the episode touched a nerve in national discussions about race, civility, and political discourse (iNews; Fox News).
Reporting also noted that Pogorelc has made political donations, including to Rep. Abigail Spanberger — a detail that entered discussions about the political dimensions of the episode (Hampton Roads Beacon).
Context: Other attacks and threats
The JMU episode followed a separate incident in which Earle-Sears was targeted with a racist sign at an Arlington County school board meeting — an episode that also drew rebukes from officials and civic groups (Fox News).
Video from a related event was circulated publicly as well (related event video).
Implications for United States of America
Economic and workplace impact
The firing underscores how private employers — especially those linked to government contracts — weigh employees’ public conduct and reputational risk. For workers in defense and government contracting, off-duty actions that become public can carry swift career consequences.
Political consequences
The episode fed national debates about race, free speech and political civility. It also demonstrates how political donations and affiliations may be examined after an individual’s identity is revealed.
Public safety and law enforcement
Fairfax County Police’s decision not to open a criminal probe highlights the distinction between reputational or social harms and criminal threats — law enforcement typically requires evidence of criminally actionable threats before pursuing charges.
Social and cultural effects
High-profile incidents like this amplify conversations about race and belonging, and can deepen polarization. Repeated targeting of minority politicians raises questions about public-safety protections and the tone of civic life.
Practical implications for citizens
The case is a reminder that words shouted in public venues can be recorded and widely shared — with lasting consequences for jobs and reputations. Event organizers and officials may need to review security and crowd-control measures to better protect guests.
Legal and policy considerations
Policymakers may use this episode to debate clearer rules for harassment at public events and the role of social platforms in amplifying incidents. The line between protected speech and criminal harassment remains a key point for legal and legislative discussion.
Sources and documentation
- Hampton Roads Beacon: Man who went viral for heckling Winsome Sears with racist comment dealt another blow after getting fired
- iNews Zoombangla: Virginia official faces racist taunt at football game, sparking national outrage
- Fox News: Earle-Sears’ response to the JMU incident
- Fox News video of the incident
- Fox News: Coverage of broader reaction to racist sign incidents
- Video from a related event
