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June 13, 2008

Couple Awarded $2.84 Million After Town Neglects Harassment

Couple Awarded $2.84 Million After Town Neglects Harassment

A New Jersey gay couple who claim a group of unruly volunteer firefighters threatened and harassed them have been awarded $2.84 million. Peter de Vries and Timothy Carter said the town of Secaucus failed to protect the couple's civil rights or investigate the firefighters' alleged harassment of the couple after Carter complained about noise at a wild party taking place at 1 a.m. in the firehouse's parking lot on April 25, 2004. The couple, who lived next door to the firehouse, said they were continuously harassed and called homophobic slurs by the firefighters, prompting them to eventually move, according to Newsday. After that day, Carter and de Vries said in court papers, they lived in constant fear.

The jury awarded them $433,000 for economic damages and a cumulative $2.4 million in emotional damages.

The couple's attorney, Neil Mullin, said that they would refer the case to the state attorney general's office to reopen a bias-crime investigation. Mullin also plans to send the case up to the U.S. Attorneys' office for a criminal obstruction case.

Daniel Bevere, who represented the city in the civil case, said in his opening statement that the town should not be held accountable for the firefighters' actions because it did not sanction the party. He also argued that the town could not be held liable for the conduct of off-duty volunteers, according to The Star-Ledger newspaper. Bevere added that town officials suspended the investigation because the case was supposedly being looked into by Hudson County and the state of New Jersey. (The Advocate)

Reader Comments

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  • Name: Veer Chaudhary
    Date posted: 2008-07-03 2:31 PM
    Hometown: Philadelphia PA

    Comment:

    The appauling facts of this case are still not publically known. A gun fired, bloody towels on the front door, the worst of an old style lynch mob and they still never left Tim alone even to this day. Any self-respecting G/L/B/T should not spend a dime in Secaucus NJ ever again.


  • Name: PJ
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 7:16 PM
    Hometown: Waterford,CT

    Comment:

    Congrats to Peter and Timothy!! I'm sickened to hear that voluteer or even career fire fighters would act in such a manner. I have to say that there must be little to no supervision from the Administration of the dept, and that those individuals have no pride in the job that they do! I have been a volunteer fire fighter and emt for the past 16 years and I'm openly gay. I would just like to say that I'm sorry for what the both of you had to endure and please do not think that all firefighters be them career or volunteer are this ignorant or homophobic, and don't think for one minute that their fellow brothers and sisters will ever let those individuals live down the embarrassment and shame they have brought to themselves the town and the fire service as a whole.


  • Name: Leonard Myron
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 3:02 PM
    Hometown: Edgewater, New Jersey

    Comment:

    Bravo to Tim and Peter. They fought homophobia in an extremely effective way, by going after their perpetators legally. New Jersey is one of the more liberal states on the issue of marriage equality. Governor Corzine supports it and said that he will sign a marriage bill if it reaches his desk after the November elections. However there are still pockets of ignorance and intolerance even in the most tolerant places. Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks they can practice and get away with this type of outrageous behavior.


  • Name: Tom
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 1:54 PM
    Hometown: Beverly Hills, CA

    Comment:

    “He also argued that the town could not be held liable for the conduct of off-duty volunteers” Uhhh, not when they are having a party on city property


  • Name: RS
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 1:26 PM
    Hometown: NY

    Comment:

    Good for them! And way to go justice system!


  • Name: Josh
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 1:21 PM
    Hometown: Orlando, FL

    Comment:

    Hooray for Peter, Timothy -- and their LAWYER!! This is another example of the most effective way in which to fight bigotry --- HIT THEM IN THE POCKETBOOK! Now take that $ and buy a highly upgraded security (and fire) system for your NEW home.


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 11:51 AM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Good for this couple!! It seems the only thing that stops homophobic behavior in some instances, is to haul the bigots into court! This should make the bigots think twice before doing something like this again. Kudos to the couple for standing up for their rights.


  • Name: Donald
    Date posted: 2008-06-13 10:48 AM
    Hometown: Norwich, Ct

    Comment:

    “He also argued that the town could not be held liable for the conduct of off-duty volunteers” – this is total bull. Volunteers still should uphold a respect for all as they represent the town, county and state as a member of the fire department. The town should be more selective as to who they chose as a volunteer – just because one volunteers does not mean they have to be accepted – ignorance should have no place in the fire or police departments across the country but sadly they are accepted and think they are hero’s and there for can get away with such behavior. I’m proud or Peter and Timothy for standing up for their rights and I hate to say it but they better have the best fire insurance on their new home because if anything should happen and the FF know who they are they will let it go as long as they can.


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