Male NJ Firefighters Allege Sexual Assault and Harassment

A lawsuit filed by three current and former New Jersey volunteer firefighters alleging sexual assaults and harassment has been removed to federal court. The suit was originally filed in March 2025 in Ocean County Superior Court by three John Doe plaintiffs. It names the Toms River Fire District #2, the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company, and eighteen other parties as defendants.

At the request of one of the named defendants, the Township of Toms River, the case was removed to US District Court for the District of New Jersey. The facts as explained in the preliminary statement:

• This case exposes a horrific pattern of sexual abuse and institutional failure within the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company #1 and Toms River Fire District 2.
• For over two decades, Defendant Robert Sinnott, a high-ranking fire official, systematically preyed upon young volunteer firefighters, subjecting them to repeated sexual assaults, harassment, and exploitation.
• Sinnott had intimate knowledge of the bounds of the law as a former law enforcement officer. It also culminated in retaliation.
• The abuse occurred not only at Sinnott’s residence but shockingly, in full view of others at the firehouse, demonstrating the brazen nature of his conduct and the climate of impunity that existed within the department.
• The Plaintiffs in this case are three courageous current and former volunteer firefighters who endured unconscionable sexual violations at the hands of Defendant Sinnott, however disturbingly there are many others.
• These young men joined the fire department with aspirations of serving their community, only to be betrayed by the very institution they sought to support.
• The sexual abuse they suffered ranged from forced masturbation and groping to violent physical restraints and assaults, often under the guise of “training” or “demonstrations” for work serving the Defendants through a company Sinnott said was meant to educate police officers to prevent them from being hurt.
• Even more appalling than Sinnott’s predatory behavior is the systemic failure of the Toms River Fire District 2, its Board of Commissioners, and other officials, including named Defendants, to protect these vulnerable young men.
• Despite ample evidence and opportunities to intervene, the Defendants willfully disregarded and ignored Sinnott’s abuse, effectively endorsing his criminal misconduct through their inaction.
• Their negligent onboarding and training practices, willful blindness, and outright conspiracy to conceal Sinnott’s crimes perpetuated a cycle of abuse that has scarred the Plaintiffs for life.

The 94-page complaint alleges:

• Assault
• Battery
• False imprisonment
• Negligence
• Gross Negligence
• Recklessness
• Negligent hiring, supervision, and retention
• Gender discrimination – sexual harassment
• State law civil rights violations of the New Jersey Constitution
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress
• Negligent infliction of emotional distress
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Civil conspiracy
• Defamation

Here is a copy of the complaint and the removal notice: