$635K Jury Verdict For Former Fire Commissioner, Firefighter Son

The former New Hyde Park Fire Department Commissioner and his firefighter son who were falsely accused of stealing a large amount of donated smoke detectors intended for senior citizens will receive a total of $635,000 in emotional and punitive damages, their lawyers announced Wednesday.

Michael Dolan, Sr., was falsely arrested in July 2012 and charged with third-degree grand larceny, claiming he and an unidentified individual— who was determined to be his son— removed $3,250 from a room within the New Hyde Park Fire Department. He was then held against his will in a cell for 21 hours. The charges were later dropped but Dolan was still dismissed from the New Hyde Park Fire Department in April 2013 following a series of hearings. Michael Dolan, Jr., was also arrested and jailed, his lawyers say.

A complaint filed in October 2013 claimed Dolan, Sr., and Dolan, Jr., had their constitutional rights violated by the New Hyde Park fire Department and members of the Board of Commissioners. A trial began on March 6, 2017 and ended by a unanimous verdict on Tuesday.

Dolan, Sr., was awarded $150,000 in emotional damages and $30,000 in punitive damages. Dolan, Jr., was awarded $400,000 in emotional damages and $45,000 in punitive damages.

Dolan, Sr., served as a Vietnam combat veteran and was a purple heart recipient. He was an active member of the New Hyde Park Fire Department for nearly 50 years. He was elected commissioner of the District and took office on Jan. 1, 2010.

Dolan, Jr., served as a marine with two tours in Iraq and currently works as a firefighter.

Leeds Brown Law, P.C. represented the father and son in the case. Andrew Costello of Leeds Brown Law said in a statement: “We are ecstatic about the verdict. Our clients are both combat veterans who served our country honorably. They didn’t deserve to be treated this way. We are hopeful that the Department will accept the jury’s verdict.”

Image via Leeds Brown Law