On December 26, 2012, Dawn Law, an Emergency Medical Technician employed by Deptford Township (Gloucester County) sued the Township under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (Law v. Township of Deptford, Docket No. GLO-L-1890-12, a copy of which is on-line here.)
Law, who has worked as a Deptford EMT since 2000, claimed that EMT Deputy Chief David Snyder sent her a text message on October 2, 2012 "propositioning her to engage in a sexual relationship." Law claimed that the invitation was "unanticipated, unwelcomed and unappreciated." Snyder then allegedly tried to meet with Law for a matter not related to work.
Thereafter, Law claimed she was afraid that she might be forced to work shifts alone with Snyder. After reporting Snyder's advances to Chief Tom Newman, Snyder was allegedly given a choice between resigning immediately or being suspended pending an investigation.
Then, a few days later, Law was ordered to meet with Deptford Township Solicitor Doug Long. According to the complaint, Long told Law that "he had conducted a preliminary investigation and decided that the relationship between plaintiff and Mr. Snyder was consensual." Long allegedly then gave Law a choice between resigning and receiving a check for unpaid sick and vacation time or to "fight Mr. Long and be suspended for 30 days and then terminated." Law claims that neither she nor her partner, Paul Reyes, were interviewed during Long's alleged investigation. After declining Long's offer to resign, Law claims that she was suspended from duty from October 25, 2012 to November 19, 2012.
Law, who is represented by Kevin Costello, Esq. of Mount Laurel, claims entitlement to damages and attorney fees.
Law's allegations are only that--allegations. Nothing has been proven and no negative inferences should be drawn against Law, Snyder, Long or anyone else.