Michigan Sexual Harassment Suit Settled for $400k

Posted by: Curt Varone November 29, 2010 0

A former Michigan fire lieutenant has settled a sexual harassment lawsuit against her former fire department and former fire chief. Blythe Amenson filed her lawsuit earlier this year in Genesee County Circuit Court asserting sexual harassment, discriminatory and retaliatory discharge, and violation of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act by the Argentine Township and former fire chief William Harvey.

Amenson alleged she was sexually harassed by Fire Chief William Harvey over a period of two years, claiming he would stare at her breasts and buttocks, ask about her menstrual cycles, and humiliate her to others with explicit sexual references. Amenson was dismissed from the department on July 6, 2009.

The Township’s defense was that Amenson failed to complain to a board member. Amenson contended that she followed the rules, complained to her supervisor, and that the harassment was so open and pervasive that the Township should have been on notice. It was the Township Board that authorized her termination.

According to Michigan Lawyers Weekly, the case was settled today after mediation for $400,000.

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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