Ohio Firefighter Awarded $3.35 Million for Sexual Harassment

Posted by: Curt Varone August 24, 2018 1 Comment

A former Ohio firefighter who claimed she has been subjected to years of harassment and discrimination has been awarded $3.35 million in damages by a federal jury.

Amie Morningstar accused the Circleville Fire & EMS Department, the City of Circleville, and Fire Chief Marc Zingarelli of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, equal pay violations, retaliation, intentional infliction of severe emotional distress, and an Ohio Public Policy tort.

The jury awarded Morningstar $3.25 million in compensatory damages against the city and $100,001 in punitive damages against Chief Zingarelli.

More on the story.

Here is earlier coverage of Morningstar’s lawsuit.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 50 years of fire service experience and 40 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. Besides his law degree, he has a MS in Forensic Psychology. 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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