Massachusetts Facebook Case Settled

Posted by: Curt Varone November 30, 2012 0

The convoluted disciplinary case of a Bourne, Massachusetts firefighter that included grievances, unfair labor practices, civil service proceedings, state court proceedings, and even a Federal lawsuit has been resolved.

In February, 2011 firefighter Richard Doherty was terminated over a number of Facebook rants that he posted that maligned… well …. virtually everyone – from fire department ranking officers, local elected officials, police officers and the public.

Doherty claimed that his speech was protected under the First Amendment and that some of the speech was also protected under labor relations law. The state Civil Service Commission upheld the right of the department to discipline Doherty, but reduced the penalty from termination to a 15 months suspension. Doherty has since retired from the department.

The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, but are reported to wrap up all of the various outstanding suits and proceedings in the case.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

Virginia Firefighters Seek $1.5 Billion from PFAS Companies

Six Virginia firefighters and the estate of a deceased firefighter have filed suit against 25 companies associated with per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) seeking $1.5 Billion in damages. The named lead plaintiff in the action is Sara P. Chiaverotti, wife of Virginia Beach Fire Captain Matthew Chiaverotti who died from anaplastic thyroid cancer last year.

Rochester Firefighter Claims Domestic Violence and Gender Discrimination

A Rochester firefighter who claims to have been the victim of domestic violence and sexual harassment at work, has filed suit against the City of Rochester. The firefighter, identified as Jane Doe, claims that the city failed to protect her from domestic violence as required by state law and city policy, and that she was sexually harassed by coworkers at work.