Woman charged for threatening boss

Federal charges were filed yesterday against a local hotel worker who allegedly sent a threatening note to her Arab American boss that referenced the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

"You and your kids will pay," the note said, according to the FBI. "Remember 9/11. . . . Patriotism and anger along with desire for revenge."

Kia Reid of Philadelphia is expected to plead guilty to a misdemeanor civil-rights violation, probably this week, said her lawyer, Catherine Henry.

Reid, a single mother of three with no prior criminal record, could receive up to a year in prison, but also is eligible for probation, according to the advisory federal sentencing guidelines.

The victim, identified in court papers only as "N.T.," said in an interview yesterday that she was initially hesitant to approach the FBI because she is Arab American.

"Under the Patriot Act, we are all oppressed by the FBI. Let's not kid ourselves," said the woman, who was born in Cairo, and became a U.S. citizen in the 1960s. "As a Arab American, I didn't like dealing with the FBI because of the stereotype in our community - they are there to arrest you, not help you.