Rochester NY Firefighter Sues Claiming Discrimination After Attending Party

Posted by: Curt Varone August 11, 2022 0

A Rochester firefighter who claims he was forced to attend a private party while on duty, has filed suit against the city alleging race discrimination. Jerrod Jones, a 14 year veteran, filed the action according to WHEC Channel 10 News. A copy of the complaint is not available at this time.

Channel 10 is reporting that Jones attended the party at the direction of a captain who has since been suspended. The party reportedly mocked Juneteenth. Jones’ attorney, Nate McMurray was quoted as saying:

  • He saw signs mocking Juneteenth under which there were buckets of fried chicken.
  • He saw on the ground, posts with the pictures of elected officials throughout the yard.
  • And when Mr. Jones went to his commanders, his officers above him and he said—this is terrible. Can you address this? Can we handle this? They assigned him to work with the same captain the next shift.

Updated: August 17, 2022: Here is the complaint:

Jones-vs-RFD-2022Download

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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