Pompton Lakes, NJ, Fire Chief Made Threats, Discriminated, Suit Says

A longtime volunteer firefighter and his wife have filed a lawsuit against both the Borough of Pompton Lakes and its new fire chief, alleging a pattern of harassment, threats, and discrimination.

Mark and Sharon Sonne, active members of the Pompton Lakes Fire Department and emergency services, claim in court papers borough Fire Chief Dennis Dakake engaged in years of misconduct.

According to the lawsuit, filed Feb. 27 in Superior Court of Passaic County, the alleged misconduct included racial slurs, threats of violence, and intimidation.

The couple alleges the borough failed to take action against Dakake, despite multiple complaints and an internal investigation confirming some of the allegations.

The lawsuit claims Dakake used racist and homophobic slurs, threatened volunteers, and intimidated the Sonnes after disputes over personnel decisions.

Reached by phone on Friday, both Dakake and borough Administrator Michael Carelli declined to comment on the allegations in the lawsuit.

Dakake has been involved with the local fire department for many years, both as a volunteer and in leadership roles, according to the suit.

According to court documents, Dakake served as the borough’s assistant fire chief from Jan. 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2024, receiving stipends for both the assistant chief and chief positions during his employment with the borough.

He is a resident of Riverdale, in Bergen County, and works full-time as a mechanic for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, according to the suit.

The couple claims Pompton Lakes officials ignored warnings about Dakake’s alleged past violent behavior and instead promoted him to fire chief in January.

According to the complaint, Dakake refused medical aid from a first responder during a fire in January 2023, allegedly using a racial slur while threatening to assault him.

The lawsuit also alleges that after first responder refused to meet with him privately, Dakake called him a homophobic slur and a “coward.”

Additional allegations include threats against Mark Sonne and his son.

After Sonne, as head of the Pompton Lakes-Riverdale First Aid Squad, denied a membership request from Dakake’s daughter due to residency requirements, Dakake allegedly responded by calling Sonne a “wimp,” a “motherf***er,” and by using a homophobic slur.

He then warned, “You and your kid better watch yourself at the firehouse,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit further accuses Dakake of physically intimidating Sharon Sonne during a fire department event in September 2023, allegedly pointing in her face and threatening, “Stay the f*** away from my kids or there’s going to be problems.”

The Sonnes claim the borough ignored multiple complaints about Dakake’s behavior, including a 2024 internal investigation that reportedly confirmed some of the allegations.

Despite this, officials did not take action, the lawsuit states, and instead allowed Dakake to be promoted to fire chief in January.

The Sonnes are suing for violations of their civil rights, negligent hiring and supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. They are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

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