Tag Archives: Palm Beach County Fire Rescue

Florida District Chief’s Wrongful Termination Suit Facing Dismissal

A Florida district chief who was terminated in 2022, has been given one final opportunity to refile an amended complaint before his wrongful termination suit is dismissed. Palm Beach County District Chief Christopher DeVito claims he was wrongfully terminated ostensibly over a risqué texting relationship he had with a subordinate.

Former Florida Firefighter Convicted of Wire Fraud

A former Palm Beach County firefighter has been convicted of fraudulently misappropriating $158,960 from a charity that helps folks who have cystic fibrosis. Elizabeth Genna Suarez, 34, was convicted of three counts of wire fraud yesterday by a federal court jury.

Court of Appeals Strikes Down Palm Beach County Social Media Policy

The US 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a social media-related First Amendment lawsuit filed by two Palm Beach County fire captains may proceed, reversing a district court ruling from 2020. In doing so the court struck down the fire department’s social media policy as being a prior restraint on employee speech.

Fire Law Roundup – December 13, 2021

In this session of Fire Law VLOG, Curt and Brad Pinsky discuss the fire law headlines from last week. FMLA, vaccine mandates, medical marijuana, employment discrimination lawsuits and more.

Palm Beach County Social Media Policy and Discipline Upheld

A lawsuit challenging the validity of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue’s social media policy, together with the discipline imposed on two captains, has been dismissed for the second time. Captain AJ O’Laughlin and Captain Crystal Little filed suit in state court last year claiming their social media-related discipline should be overturned, and that the social media policy violated the First Amendment.

Palm Beach County Firefighter Sues Under ADA

A Palm Beach County firefighter has filed suit claiming he is being discriminated against by his superiors on account of a perceived psychological disability. FF Victor Hernandez filed suit earlier this month in Palm Beach County Circuit Court alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Palm Beach County Social Media Suit Dismissed

A lawsuit filed last year by two captains with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue after they were disciplined for social media posts, has been dismissed. Captain AJ O’Laughlin and Captain Crystal Little filed suit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court last May. It was later removed to federal court.

Florida Firefighter Sues Over Discrimination

A Cuban-American firefighter who claims he was subjected to a harassment on account of his ancestry, religion and disability, has filed suit in state court against Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Eduardo Mesa claims during his initial recruit academy in 2016, a captain harassed him for a medical condition that caused him to blink and close his eyes frequently.

Palm Beach Chief Rescinds Resignation

Embattled Palm Beach County Fire Chief Jeff Collins, who resigned on Friday after meeting with county officials, has informed those officials he is rescinding his resignation. Chief Collins resigned following a meeting with County Administrator Verdenia Baker, Assistant County Administrator Nancy Bolton and Human Resources Director Wayne Condry

Florida Captain Alleges Sexual Harassment

A captain with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue has filed suit accusing her supervisors of sexual harassment and retaliation. Captain Amanda Vomero filed suit last week in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. The two count complaint includes a litany of allegations of inappropriate and vulgar comments.

Mother Sues Palm Beach County For Wrongful Death of Asthmatic Son Treated With Narcan

The mother of a man died who from an asthma attack in 2015 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Palm Beach County Fire Rescue claiming that personnel administered Narcan and then falsified their reports to support their actions.