The Independent Volunteer Fire Company and five of its members have filed a lawsuit, alleging town officials violated their civil rights and state law in handling allegations against them.
The suit against the town, filed in Atlantic County Superior Court, alleges that Station 2 firefighters were denied due process and that town officials broke the law in suspending them. It seeks payment of damages as well as reinstatement.
“This action has been initiated for the well-being of the fire company, its dedicated volunteer members and the taxpayers of our community,” fire company Secretary Joseph Lizza said in a written statement.
Lizza directed all questions about details of the suit to attorney Louis M. Barbone at Jacobs & Barbone in Atlantic City, who declined comment. The five firefighters who sued are Station 2 President Joseph Caruso Jr., former Capt. William Tomasello, Treasurer John H. Warren Jr., firefighting Commander John Michael Warren, and terminated junior firefighter Joseph Caruso III.