Oregon Fire District Sued for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation

Posted by: Curt Varone April 9, 2023 0

Two female staff members of an Oregon fire district who were laid-off in February, 2023, have filed suit claiming the layoff was thinly-disguised retaliation for complaints they had made about sexual harassment and financial mismanagement. Jennifer Motherway and Anika Todd filed suit last week naming Columbia River Fire & Rescue.

Motherway and Todd allege that they expressed concerns about sexually harassing behavior as early as June of 2021, but the complaints were either not investigated, or labeled as unsubstantiated. The complaint states the sexually offensive behavior continued and a hostile work environment resulted.

Meanwhile financial irregularities prompted the plaintiffs to raised additional concerns that were similarly not entertained. Instead their duties were modified. In January, 2023 the district reported that “finances were in bad shape,” “accused the previous finance director and finance manager of mismanagement,” and the district “intended to lay off two staff members.” On February 7, 2023, Motherway and Todd were laid off.

The suit alleges retaliation under Oregon Revised Statutes 659A.203; retaliation under ORS 659A.199 – which is essentially a whistleblower protection law; retaliation under ORS 659A.030(1)(f); sexual discrimination under ORS 659A.030(1)(a)-(b)); hostile work environment in violation of ORS 659A.030 et seq; Medical Leave Interference and Retaliation under ORS 659A.183; and wrongful discharge.

Here is a copy of the complaint:

OR_CIR_COL_23CV14480_d22624637e264_Complaint_CMDownload

UPDATE: April 11, 2023: News coverage – https://www.thechronicleonline.com/news/turmoil-at-crfr-no-confidence-vote-lawsuit-filed/article_24a51854-d7e9-11ed-a06a-9f625b54abc6.html

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 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) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

DC Firefighter-EMTs File Class Action Suit Over Pension

Five dual function EMT-firefighters with the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services have filed a class action lawsuit alleging that the city has reneged on pension-related promises. The complaint seeks to require the city to comply with its contractual and statutory pension obligations, as well alleging the city was motivated in denying them their benefits due to their race and gender.

Mother Sues Houston Police and Firefighters Over Son’s Death

A mother whose son died after being tased and arrested by Houston police, has filed suit against the city, the officers involved in the apprehension, and five city firefighters. Meghan Sonnier Simms, the mother of Jermaine K. Sonnier, filed suit yesterday in US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.