Sexual misconduct

Two fire departments in different states are dealing with unrelated cases of firefighters being charged with child pornography-related offenses. In Dallas, driver-engineer Jesse McFall is facing a felony charge of possession of child pornography.

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A volunteer firefighter in New York is claiming that she was raped in the firehouse by two ranking officers. The plaintiff claims the officers, who are with the Wantagh Fire Department, first "plied" her with alcohol and then forced themselves on her.

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The City of Rye, New York has agreed to pay $3.25 million to settle a sexual abuse lawsuit brought in 2020 over conduct that took place in a firehouse in the 1970s. The suit claimed that two officers of the Rye Fire Department sexually abused a young boy.

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A Colorado firefighter has filed suit alleging she was sexually harassed throughout much of her 10-year membership in the East Grand Fire Protection District #4, and sexually assaulted leading to her constructive termination. Lisa MacKendrick filed suit in US District Court for the District of Colorado against the district and its fire chief.

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A firefighter with the District of Columbia has filed suit claiming that a supervisor physically assaulted her in the firehouse, and that she was retaliated against once she reported it. Anaje Boyd filed suit alleging violations of Title VII and the DC Human Rights Act, as well as retaliation.

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A Washington firefighter has filed suit claiming he was sexually harassed during his fire academy training by an instructor. Keanan Metcalfe filed suit in Snohomish County Superior Court naming the City of Everett, Snohomish County, Snohomish County Fire Protection, South ...

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for November 14, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss the impact of the Massachusetts Human Resource Division to cancel all upcoming fire promotional examinations; a wildland firefighter who drove a US Forest Service engine ...

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A wildland firefighter with the US Forest Service has been arrested as part of sexual predator sting operation in central California. Mark McGill Jr. was arrested when he arrived in a Forest Service engine to what he thought was a rendezvous with a teenage girl in Fresno County.

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A Virginia Beach firefighter is facing federal child porn charges following an investigation that connected his IP to a firehouse. Douglas France is accused of possession and distribution of child pornography.

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The crew of a San Jose engine company is under investigation after a video surface last week showing a scantily clad woman exiting the cab and entering a strip club. The video first surfaced on Instagram and quickly got the attention of local officials, including San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr.

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An Oregon woman who claims she was sexually abused and given stolen drugs by a fire department paramedic has filed suit against the department and an area hospital. The plaintiff, identified as AH, is seeking $2 million in damages from the Eugene-Springfield Fire Department, PeaceHealth, the City of Eugene and the City of Springfield.

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In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for September 5, 2022, Brad and Curt discuss the settlement of a reverse discrimination lawsuit filed twelve years ago against the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District in Missouri; a disparate impact race ...

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A former West Virginia firefighter who forcibly raped a 16-year-old female in a firehouse in January 2021, has been sentenced to fourteen years in prison. Christopher Lee Osborne, 26, pled guilty earlier this year on federal civil rights violation charges.

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An Illinois fire lieutenant who claims he was retaliated against after reporting sexually harassing behavior in his department, has filed suit alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, and whistleblower violations. Steven Edwards filed suit against the Mount Prospect Fire Department, three chiefs and the HR Director.

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