Male on Male Sexual Harassment Suit in New York

Posted by: Curt Varone January 31, 2014 1 Comment

A rather strange case of harassment directed at both a father and a son has prompted a lawsuit in Westchester County. Matthew Bruno, a probationary firefighter with the Greenville Fire District who was terminated last September after complaining about being sexually harassed, has filed suit in New York Supreme Court.

His father, Richard Bruno, a captain with the department, has been out on stress leave following an incident at about the same time where someone left “a maggot-infested raccoon carcass in a box on the hood of his car, with the message ‘retire or else old man’”, according to Lohud.com. Captain Bruno filed an age discrimination claim against the district with the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Matthew alleges that Greenville firefighters engaged in lewd acts toward him, including the routine exposure of private parts, unwanted conduct and a sexual assault. He further alleges that this behavior has been condoned by ranking officials as part of an effort to force him and his father from the department. He is seeking to be reinstated and be awarded back pay.

Here is 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.
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