Houston Settles With Firefighter Over Intimate Video for $850k

Posted by: Curt Varone December 13, 2024 0

The City of Houston has agreed to settle the claims of a former fire captain over the unlawful accessing and sharing a nude video of her. An intimate video of Melinda Abbt was accessed and circulated among firefighters, one of whom was held liable last year for violation of a Texas law titled “Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material.”

Fox26 Houston has in depth coverage of the settlement with the city.

Here is earlier coverage of the verdict from 2023 that held Fire Captain John Chris Barrientes liable for $250,000.

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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