Sexual Harassment

The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission delivered a stunning rebuke to the City of Westfield criticizing the handling of a disciplinary investigation against three firefighters who were involved in reporting concerns about sexual harassment. In doing so the Commission ordered the reinstatement of Captain Rebecca Boutin, FF Kyle Miltimore, and FF David Kennedy.

Read More »

A paramedic captain with the San Francisco Fire Department has filed an 18-count complaint in federal court alleging an assortment of gender, pregnancy, and lactation-based claims. Sarah Perata filed suit last week in US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Read More »

The Inspector General for the City of Chicago released a long-awaited report into race discrimination and sexual harassment in the Chicago Fire Department. The 51-page report titled an “Audit of Policies and Practices Related to Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Within the Chicago Fire Department,” outlines the reasons for the investigation and the OIG’s findings.

Read More »

A Colorado firefighter who was fired two days after organizing a meeting of firefighters to discuss complaints about management, has lost his wrongful termination lawsuit. Chad Sells was fired by the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District on July 18, 2017.

Read More »

The City of Orlando has settled a sexual harassment suit brought by an assistant chief against the fire department and former Fire Chief Roderick Williams. Assistant Fire Chief Dawn Sumter filed the suit last year, but her claims date back to 2017.

Read More »

A veteran San Francisco firefighter who claims to have endured decades of harassment on account of his race and sexual orientation, is suing the city in state court on six state law counts. Keith Baraka filed suit late last year in San Francisco County Superior Court

Read More »

Two New England cities are in the Fire Law news with settlements of sexual harassment claims resulting in large payouts to female firefighters. In Boston, attorneys for former firefighter Nathalie Fontanez announced that she has accepted a $3.2 million settlement of her sexual harassment and retaliation claims.

Read More »

A sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a female firefighter in South Carolina has been removed to US District Court. Rebecca Sterner filed suit late in 2020 naming the Goose Creek Rural Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Chief Robert Maibach, Battalion Chief Gary Melton, and Lieutenant Steve Varlas as defendants.

Read More »

A sexual harassment lawsuit filed last year in Superior Court for Macon County, Georgia by a volunteer firefighter, has been removed to federal court. Ondrea Zink filed suit against the City of Montezuma, Fire Chief Matthew Moye, and Mayor Larry Smith

Read More »

A fire captain in Selma, California who was demoted earlier this year, has filed suit claiming the city failed to provide him with proper notice and an opportunity to be heard at an appellate hearing before the city council. Eric Beasley filed suit in Fresno County Superior Court naming the City of Selma, the fire chief and the city manager.

Read More »

The appeal of a Utica firefighter who was terminated for engaging in lewd behavior in the firehouse in 2018 has been rejected by the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court. Richard J. Forte was fired following a police investigation into semen found on the pants of a female firefighter.

Read More »

An assistant chief with the Orlando Fire Department has filed suit accusing a former fire chief of sexual harassment, and the city with failing to address it. Assistant Chief Dawn R. Sumter filed suit yesterday in US District Court for the Middle District of Florida naming the City of Orlando and former Fire Chief Roderick Williams as defendants.

Read More »

A New Jersey firefighter who was terminated last year, has filed suit in state court claiming sexual harassment and wrongful termination. Kira Castellon filed suit in Middlesex County Superior Court against Arbor Hose Company 1, Inc., Piscataway Fire District 3, and Piscataway Township.

Read More »

A New Jersey volunteer fire department, its fire chief and two other officers are facing sexual harassment allegations in a lawsuit filed by a female volunteer. Priya Gupta filed suit against the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department and three of its officers.

Read More »