Former Yonkers Fire Commissioner Sues Blogger for Defamation

Posted by: Curt Varone January 26, 2017 0

Former Yonkers, New York fire commissioner John Darcy has filed a $2 million defamation suit against blogger Hezi Aris earlier this week.

Aris, who writes for the blog Yonkers Tribune, accused Darcy of pension padding and misappropriation of public funds in a series of articles between August 12, 2016 and November 8, 2016.

Darcy was demoted in 2015 following an altercation with a fire lieutenant after a Christmas party. He retired from the department last October.

The suit accuses Aris of writing articles containing inaccurate or false statements about criminal conduct, and not contacting Darcy to get his side.

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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