ADACivil SuitSexual HarassmentYou Can't Make This Stuff Up

Detroit EMT Sues For Sexual Harassment and ADA Discrimination

An EMT with the Detroit Fire Department has filed suit against the department alleging sexual harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

EMT Kimberly Asaro alleges that she was sexually assaulted and harassed by Battalion Chief Jack Wiley on a number of occasions dating back to 2007. An internal investigation cleared Chief Wiley. Asaro’s suit alleges she was denied a copy of the investigation report, and was told informally that Chief Wiley “meant no harm”.

Asaro also alleges that she had a medical condition, irritable bowel syndrome, that the department refused to accommodate by requiring her to wear a belt. The belt allegedly aggravated her symptoms. Last June, the EEOC found reasonable cause for her ADA claim, and proposed a settlement in the case, but the department refused to accept it.

More on the story.

Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 50 years of fire service experience and 40 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. Besides his law degree, he has a MS in Forensic Psychology. 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.

Related Articles

3 Comments

  1. THIS IS CRAP! I HAVE IBS AND WORK FOR DFD, THEREFORE I HAVE TO WEAR A BELT. IT DOES NOTHING TO WORSEN OR LESSEN MY IBS. TYPICAL SOEONE TRYIN TO GET RICH OFF A CITY.

  2. The effects of Bad part DFD Management is being exposed and the New Commissioner Donald Austin is the one left “Holding the Bag”.

    I agree by all means, have a jury trial get every thing out in to the open. It’s 2011 and a BC or any FF acting “Out of Pocket” is no longer tolerable.

  3. David obviously isn’t well versed in medical problems. Apparently he’s only familiar with his own IBS issues. Every patient is different, just as every trigger for everyone is different. Funny how he never mentioned that REAL issue at hand, which would be the sexual assault and harassment. Passing judgment on someone that he doesn’t even know. His comment is a ludicrous as saying; just because one person is allergic to shellfish, the rest of the world must be also. Ignorance!

Back to top button