Search and Seizure

Firehouse Locker Search in Rhode Island Leads to Federal Suit

The Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit on behalf of six Pawtucket firefighters accusing the city, the fire chief and a city police officer of violating their constitutional rights by conducting a locker search in September. Firefighters Noah LeBlanc, Stephen Garlick, Manuel Benevides, Scott McDonald, and Steven Como brought the action by and through the ACLU’s attorneys.

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Fire Law Roundup for February 13, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for February 13, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a jury verdict holding the Perth Amboy Fire Department (NJ) liable for a series of sexual assaults perpetrated thirty years ago by a firefighter on ...

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Louisiana Firefighters Claim Fingerprinting is Unconstitutional

Five Louisiana firefighters have filed suit claiming the fire department violated their civil rights last year by ordering them to be finger printed. Christopher Perre, Kevin Crossen, Mitchell Arbaugh, Michael Giarrusso and Brandon Barthel filed suit against the East Bank Consolidated Special Service Fire Protection District.

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Pawtucket Building Owner Sues Fire Department and State for $6.7 Million

The owner of a building in Pawtucket, Rhode Island has filed a pro se lawsuit against the Pawtucket Fire Department, various fire officers, the city, the mayor and members of the state fire marshal’s office claiming each violated his civil rights. Mark E. Amesbury, doing business as Polytechnic, filed suit in US District Court alleging violations of his 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendment rights

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Fired Georgia Chief Sues Over Intercepted Electronic Communications

A Georgia fire chief who was terminated last year after refusing to resign, has filed suit naming the City of Monroe, the city manager and the police chief as defendants. Fire Chief William Owens filed suit accusing the city of violating his constitutional rights, illegally intercepting electronic communications in violation of Georgia law, whistleblower retaliation, and invasion of privacy.

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Ohio Firefighter Sues Drug Task Force

An Ohio firefighter who resigned in May following allegations he was involved in conducting drugs transactions at work, has filed suit against a county drug task force seeking the return of improperly seized personal items. Former Liberty Township Lieutenant Josh Cleland filed suit against the Mahoning County Drug Task Force.

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Fire Chief’s Consent Valid For Search of Lieutenant’s Laptop

The US District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky has denied a motion to suppress a fire department laptop in a child pornography case against a fire lieutenant. Robert Christopher England, a lieutenant with the Middlesboro Fire Department, was accused of exposing himself to a minor in a Walmart bathroom in June 2018.

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