Criminal Law

Sexual Harassment Suit Against VFD Settled for $425k

A $425,000 settlement has been reached in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former firefighter in Harrison, New York. The lawsuit was filed last year by the US Department of Justice on behalf of Angela Bommarito, naming Town of Harrison, its police chief, Harrison Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, and Fire District Number Two of Harrison.

FDNY Firefighter Indicted for Credit Card Theft

A firefighter with FDNY has been indicted for reportedly stealing credit cards at an emergency scene, and later using the cards. Sylus McKenzie is accused of taking two credit cards from a Manhattan apartment during an emergency response for an unresponsive man on January 11, 2021.

Parents Sue SC Fire Chief Claiming He Pursued and Threatened Teens with Gun

A South Carolina fire chief and his son have been sued by the parents of two teenagers who claim the chief pursued their car, stopped them, pointed a gun at them, and ordered them to lie on the ground. The incident reportedly occurred last summer and was precipitated by the teens turning around in a driveway.

DC Firefighters Charged With Assault Over April Altercation

Two District of Columbia firefighters who were caught on video punching and kicking a man at the scene of a motor vehicle accident, are now facing criminal charges. Lieutenant Sean Sinon, 48, and Firefighter Reden Ecleo, 21, have been charged with assault.

Milwaukee Fire Prevails in Suit Brought by Terminated Firefighter

A lawsuit filed by a former Milwaukee firefighter over his termination has been dismissed by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The suit was brought by Michael S. Peden, who was terminated on June 17, 2020 for conduct that reportedly took place in 2017.

West Virginia Firefighters Plead Nolo to Financial Charges

A former fire chief and his son have pled nolo to charges involving the misuse of department funds. Thomas Perry, 53 the former fire chief of the Chapmanville Fire Department, and his son, Cody, 35, were indicted last year on embezzlement, conspiracy, and fraudulent schemes charges.

PA Chief Charged with Failing to Report Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Deputy Chief

A Pennsylvania fire chief is facing obstruction of justice charges for failing to report allegations that his deputy chief sexually abused a junior firefighter. Fire Chief Thomas Weber of the Folcroft Fire Department has been charged with failing to report suspected child abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and obstructing an investigation.

Fire Law Roundup for May 29, 2023

In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for May 29, 2023, Brad and Curt discuss a St. Louis firefighter accused of using a credit card that belongs to the victim of a vehicular accident; the former fire chief of Denton ...

St. Louis Firefighter Charged With Fraudulent Use of Crash Victim’s Credit Card

A St. Louis firefighter has been accused of using a credit card that belongs to the victim of a vehicular accident he responded to earlier this year. Arnold Britt has been charged with one count of receiving stolen property and one count of fraudulent use of a credit or debit device.

Texas Chief Pleads Guilty to Stealing Department Funds

The former fire chief of Denton County Emergency Services District 1 has pled guilty to 13 counts of stealing. Troy Mac Hohenberger was accused of stealing more than $490,000 from the Argyle Volunteer Fire Department.

Suit Alleges EMS Responsible for Victim’s Death, Not Homicide Suspect

A South Carolina man who is facing homicide charges has filed a rather unconventional civil rights lawsuit against first responders: he is claiming he is the victim of their failure to provide adequate medical care to the victim. Thomas Reginald Brooks filed suit pro se against nineteen defendants, including Sumter County EMS, the Sumter Police Department, and the Sumter Fire Department.

Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone