NH Firefighter Claims Retaliation

Posted by: Curt Varone September 21, 2015 1 Comment

A New Hampshire firefighter is suing his employer claiming he has been subject to retaliation ever since he reported a police officer for sexual harassment.

Epsom firefighter Richard Bilodeau alleges that officer Brian Michael “sexually assaulted him” back in 2010 in a pizza parlor. The assault alleged happened in front of a fire captain and the police chief. The officer was required to apologize, but according to Bilodeau the harassment did not end there.

Bilodeau claims Michael harassed him two additional times in 2010 which he reported. The retaliation reportedly involved members of the police department, and well as firefighters and elected officials. Bilodeau claims he was subjected to derogatory comments and adverse treatment.

The town’s attorney, Brian Cullen, referred to Michael’s actions as being “good natured banter” and denied it was sexual or abusive.

The suit was filed in August in Merrimack County Superior Court. 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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