Crime & Safety

Judge Dismisses Suit in Ambulance Corps Harassment Controversy

A man accused of sexual harassment lost his suit against a therapist who reported her findings to the board of the Tarrytown volunteer corps.

A lawsuit brought by a Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corps member accused of sexual harassment has been dismissed by a state Supreme Court judge.

The suit was brought in 2012 by Alaric Young against Karen Savage, a local psychotherapist.

The turmoil started in 2011, when women who were either current or former members of the Ambulance Corps accused Young of sexual harassment. In September 2011, the board asked one member to investigate the issue. She, in turn, asked Savage to interview three of the women and write to the board. 

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At the heart of the suit was Savage's letter to the board about her findings and conclusions. Judge Francesca Connolly quoted this section of her report in the decision: 

After these conversations [with the three female TVAC members], I am forced to conclude that [the defendant] has been consistently inappropriate with all of them, and with other members of the Ambulance as well. Unwanted touching, invasion of personal space, and refusal to obey suggestions that he reform his behavior are reported by all three. He has shown pictures which were offensive, and taken pictures without permission of women in the corps. It also seems clear that he has a problem with alcohol which need to be addressed by the Ambulance Corps.

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I suggest that the Corps draw up and put in place a Sexual Harassment Policy, and also form a committee to address complaints when they are lodged, so that members feel that they are heard when they have a problem. I also suggest that [the defendant] not be reinstated, as he appears to be unable to control his behavior despite repeated reprimands. 

In her decision, Judge Connolly said that Savage's letter was protected.

"Her services were requested by a member of the TVAC Board of Directors who had been delegated the task of investigating the complaints," the judge wrote. "Her statements on this subject to the TVAC Board are entitled to the qualified privilege insofar as the board shared a corresponding duty to address the complaints."

The judge also said Young had not offered proof that Savage had been motivated by malice or deliberately stated falsehoods.

Here are links to some of Patch's earlier reports on the controversy.

March 2012: The turmoil becomes public knowledge. 

June 2012: More corps members resign.

Editor's Note: The controversy concerns the Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The wrong group was named in the original version of this report. Patch regrets the error. 


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