Ohio Firefighter Files Federal Sexual Harassment Suit

A Circleville firefighter has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit alleging a pattern of sexual harassment since she became a full-time member in 2007.

Amie Morningstar claims that someone urinated in her shampoo, placed bodily fluid on her blanket in her firehouse bunk, hid her gear and radio, and cut holes in her t-shirts, according to a news article published in the Bellefontaine Examiner.

Morningstar, 33, is the department’s only female firefighter and had previously worked as a volunteer from 2003 to 2007 when she went full-time, according to the article.

She claims she was also required to meet tougher standards and training than male firefighters, was denied promotions. She said the harassment got worse after she reported the alleged violations.

In her lawsuit, Morningstar’s attorneys wrote; “Morningstar been has subjected to retaliation, discrimination, and unwelcome sexual harassment, including but not limited to, sexual advances and/or requests for sexual favors, and other conduct of a sexual nature.”

The suit seeks more than $75,000 and a judge’s order to end the alleged harassment, the newspaper reported.

The chief of the Circleville Fire Department, which is about 30 miles south of Columbus, declined comment, according to the newspaper.