HOUSTON—A Houston firefighter at the center of a harassment investigation has filed a lawsuit against the city.
The harassment investigation began in 2009 when Jane Draycott and another female firefighter said racist and sexist graffiti was scribbled on their lockers at Fire Station 54.
Draycott has been on leave ever since.
In Draycott’s lawsuit, she claims she was the victim of repeated unwanted sexual advances from other firefighters at multiple stations where she worked, and after she reported it, she was harassed by her superiors.
“This is a situation that’s not going to be corrected by itself,” said Draycott’s attorney Joe Ahmad outside his downtown office. “The fire department isn’t going to right the situation by itself, and so she had no other choice but to file a lawsuit.”
In January, she tried to return to Fire Station 54, but left after a captain read a letter during roll call that said she wasn’t to be trusted. But in a new development, city officials say Draycott has agreed to return to work next Monday.
Several firefighters from Station 54 have since been reassigned, while the Office of Inspector General continues its 10-month investigation into the incident. Houston Mayor Anisse Parker has been a vocal critic of HFD’s handling of the crisis. “I’m looking for new leadership in the department and a new attitude,” said Parker. “You can never be afraid to speak the truth.”
But the head of the Houston Professional Firefighters Association blames the mayor for poisoning efforts to get at the truth. “This has left a black cloud over the entire department,” said HPFFA President Jeff Caynon. “When the mayor makes remarks like these, it’s problematic.”
Draycott’s lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages. Her attorney said he might file additional lawsuit on behalf of other female firefighters in the coming weeks.
