Jury Awards $1.4 Million in Charlotte Retaliation Case

A former arson investigator for the Charlotte Fire Department was awarded $1.4 million today in a whistleblower lawsuit against the City of Charlotte. Crystal Eschert, a former arson investigator for the city was fired after she voiced safety concerns over a new fire department building. The City had claimed Eschert was fired for posting inappropriate Facebook posts.

Bill Maccarone

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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Terminated Iowa Firefighter Alleges Due Process Violation

A volunteer firefighter in Iowa who was terminated last year, has filed suit pro se in US District Court for the District of Iowa claiming a violation of his Fourteenth Amendment rights. Paul Anthony Reed, Sr. filed suit today naming the City of West Liberty, the West Liberty Fire Department, the mayor, city manager, fire chief and assistant chief.

Court Dismisses Illinois Firefighter’s Civil Rights Suit Against Arson Investigator

The US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has dismissed a lawsuit accusing an arson investigator of fabricating evidence and violating an arson suspect’s civil rights. The suit was brought by a firefighter who claims he and the investigator had a history that led to the arson charges being brought.