NJ Fire Inspector Awarded $1 Million

Posted by: Curt Varone January 31, 2017 3 Comments

A New Jersey fire inspector who claims he was harassed because he cited various businesses with close ties to the mayor for fire code violations, has been awarded over $1 million by a Superior Court jury.

The city of Elizabeth was ordered to pay Fred Bonda $750,000 in lost wages and $350,000 for emotional distress last week, and potentially could be on the hook to pay even more as punitive damages.

Bonda claims that after he cited a construction site at Trinitas Hospital and various buildings owned by friends of Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, he became the target of his supervisors, who berated him and took away his computer and cellphone. The harassment was so severe that Bond claims he had to take medical leave in February, 2014.

The City is vowing to appear the verdict, claiming Bonda was simply upset he did not receive a promotion. A hearing on the punitive damages is set for March 27. 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.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

NJ Court Upholds Officers Being in Same Bargaining Unit as Firefighters

The Appellate Division of New Jersey Superior Court has upheld a ruling of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission concluding that lieutenants can be included with firefighters in a collective bargaining unit. The case involved a challenge brought by the Borough of Carteret seeking to separate lieutenants from the rank-and-file firefighters.

New Hampshire Firefighter Claims He Was Sexually Harassed

A New Hampshire firefighter who resigned last December after enduring what he claims was years of sexually harassing comments and retaliation is now suing his former employer. Christopher R. Golomb filed suit against the City of Concord last month in Merrimack County Superior Court.