NH Firefighter Claims Retaliation
A New Hampshire firefighter is suing his employer claiming he has been subject to retaliation ever since he reported a police officer for sexual harassment.
Epsom firefighter Richard Bilodeau alleges that officer Brian Michael “sexually assaulted him” back in 2010 in a pizza parlor. The assault alleged happened in front of a fire captain and the police chief. The officer was required to apologize, but according to Bilodeau the harassment did not end there.
Bilodeau claims Michael harassed him two additional times in 2010 which he reported. The retaliation reportedly involved members of the police department, and well as firefighters and elected officials. Bilodeau claims he was subjected to derogatory comments and adverse treatment.
The town’s attorney, Brian Cullen, referred to Michael’s actions as being “good natured banter” and denied it was sexual or abusive.
The suit was filed in August in Merrimack County Superior Court. More on the story.
Boys will be boys.
But when are the boys going to learn that that can get them in trouble?
And there’s a BIG difference between “good-natured banter” and abuse.