Another Assisting Police Lawsuit in the News

A federal court in California has dismissed several counts in a lawsuit filed against the City of Richmond and American Medical Response West over the death of a man, but will otherwise allow the case to continue. The suit was brought by the family of Ivan Gutzalenko, who died on March 10, 2021.

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Fire Law Roundup for March 18, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 18, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss charges against a Louisiana firefighter for setting a fire station on fire; a ruling by the Second Circuit upholding the city’s decision to rescind a ...

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Albany Prevails at Second Circuit in Discrimination Suit

An Albany fire captain who claims he wrongfully was denied a promotion to battalion chief following an off-duty incident, has lost his appeal to the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Captain Jeremy Clawson claims the City of Albany rescinded a civil service promotion he earned in 2019 on account of a disability and his race.

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Court Dismisses Wrongful Death Suit Against DeKalb County Fire Rescue

The US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the mother of a man who died after exhibiting “excited delirium” and being sedated by DeKalb County Fire Rescue. Yvonne West brought suit against DeKalb County, a fire captain, four firefighters, and four police officers over the death of Jamon West in 2019.

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Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Public Records Violation

A volunteer firefighter in New York is facing criminal charges for allegedly giving himself and family members credit for emergency responses they did not go to. James P. Burns, 27, is accused of entering false information into Cutchogue Fire Department’s electronic record-keeping system on September 30, 2023.

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Cincinnati Fire Facing Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Suit

A Cincinnati firefighter has filed suit alleging she was sexually harassed, assaulted by a lieutenant and a firefighter, and retaliated against when she reported the misconduct. Rebecca Bryant filed suit today against the city, former Lieutenant Harold Wright, and firefighter Damonte Brown as defendants.

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Fire Law Roundup for March 11, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 11, 2024, Curt discusses a disciplinary investigation into firefighters who booed an elected official at a promotional ceremony; the dismissal of two Michigan fire departments from a lawsuit brought by a ...

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More Political Squabbles in FDNY

An FDNY promotional ceremony last Thursday has turned into a politically oriented disciplinary spectacle after attendees booed New York Attorney General Letitia James and chanted “Trump”. Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh has ordered an investigation into the incident and apparently want the offenders to be “educated why their behavior is unacceptable.”

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Two Michigan Fire Departments Dismissed From Lawsuit

Two Michigan fire departments who were being sued in federal court over an incident that led to the arrest of a homeowner, have been dismissed from the lawsuit. The Mount Pleasant City Fire Department and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Fire Department have been dismissed from a suit brought by Rickie Lee Beilicki, Jr. back in 2023.

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Former Indiana Fire Chief Accused of Sexual Harassment

The former fire chief in Evansville, Indiana is facing allegations that he sexually harassed a female employee, which in turn prompted his resignation last fall. The unidentified victim reported that the chief filmed her without her permission, and complimented her on her appearance and the way she dressed.

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Fire Law Roundup for March 4, 2024

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for March 4, 2024, Curt and Bill Maccarone discuss a lawsuit challenging a large budget increase levied by a fire district in New York; the settlement of a wrongful death suit brought by ...

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