Nebraska Firefighter Files Sexual Discrimination Suit

Posted by: Curt Varone July 11, 2018 1 Comment

A Nebraska firefighter has filed suit alleging she has been discriminated against and harassed on account of her gender, and then retaliated against after she reported the discrimination.

Amanda Benson, a firefighter with Lincoln Fire and Rescue, filed suit in state court against the City of Lincoln, Mayor Chris Beutler, Public Safety Director Tom Casady, Human Resources Director Doug McDaniel, Fire Chief Tim Linke, Battalion Chief Eric Jones, retired Battalion Chief Leo Benes, Captain Darren Merryman and Captain Shawn Mahler.

The suit is the third harassment-related suit filed by firefighters against the city in the past two years. Captains Troy Hurd and Brian Giles filed suits in federal court in 2016 and 2017 respectively, claiming they were passed over for promotion and faced disciplinary actions in retaliation for reporting harassment.

Benson’s suit was filed in Lancaster County District Court. The complaint is not available, but will be posted in the event it can be obtained. Here is 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.
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