A volunteer medic has filed a $25 million civil suit against two Long Island firefighters, accusing them of sexually assaulting her during a birthday party at the stationhouse.
Amanda Gross alleges ex-Wantagh Fire Department Chief Kenneth Kelly, Jr. and Captain Josef Seier got her so drunk that she was unable to fight off their advances.
She had been a volunteer with the department for around six years at the time and was just 27 years old.
‘I thought these people were my friends and they weren’t. They did the complete opposite and took advantage,’ Gross, now 29, told NBC New York.
‘They circled the wagons immediately and did what they always try to do – victim shame and victim blame.’
Volunteer medic Amanda Gross has accused ex-Wantagh Fire Department Chief Kenneth Kelly, Jr. and Captain Josef Seier (pictured) of sexually assaulting her in a $25 million civil lawsuit
The allegations stem from the evening of January 14, 2022, when Kelly (pictured here as he was sworn in as chief in 2020) is accused of raping her alongside Seier
Gross alleges the men ‘continuously overserved’ her with alcoholic drinks after she arrived at the firehouse (pictured) to celebrate Seier’s birthday
According to documents viewed by DailyMail.com, Gross was invited to the Wantagh Fire Department Station 4 on the evening of January 14, 2022 to celebrate Seier’s birthday.
She arrived without any alcohol, ‘at the request of Defendant Seier and his girlfriend,’ the suit states.
However, Gross was allegedly served and ‘continuously overserved’ with alcoholic drinks upon arrival by both Seier and Kelly.
The lawsuit notes that the ‘serving and overserving of female patrons, including female firefighters, in an attempt to make them more vulnerable to be preyed upon by male firefighters, including individual Defendants, was a recurrent ongoing problem at the District.’
It further alleges that Seier and Kelly ‘had premediated a plan which included getting the Plaintiff intoxicated to the point where that the Plaintiff would not be able to consent to their advances.’
As the night dragged on, the suit says, Seier would ‘lean into the Plaintiff as well as keeping his hand on her thigh,’ describing both actions as ‘unwelcome advances.’
At around 2 a.m., Gross overheard Kelly telling Seier that the men were going to ‘wet her like a sponge,’ at which point Kelly began telling everyone to leave.
Only upon hearing the remark did Gross realize that the men were planning to assault her.
The lawsuit alleges that Seier began forcing himself upon her once the room had cleared out, despite Gross’ protests.
The men allegedly told her ‘there were no cameras where they were’ as they watched her struggle to get away.
According to the document, Seier began to get more aggressive, asking, ‘You want to see this big d***?’
Kelly allegedly chimed in, stating, ‘We know you like it,’ before asserting that Gross was to be Seier’s ‘present.’
She accuses the men of raping her once she began to slip in and out of consciousness. At one point, Kelly left the firehouse while Seier continued to assault her, the suit claims.
Gross overheard Kelly (pictured) telling Seier that the men were going to ‘wet her like a sponge,’ at which point Kelly began telling everyone to leave the stationhouse
Hours after the assault, Gross received a text from Kelly reading, ‘Had fun last night. But, remember, that’s between you and me and Joe only forever’
The medic accuses Seier and Kelly (center, holding fire helmet) of committing assault, battery, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other charges
Gross left at around 4 a.m. and received a text from Kelly reading, ‘Had fun last night. But, remember, that’s between you and me and Joe only forever.’ A screenshot of the message was included in the lawsuit.
Gross’ lawyers contend she suffered bruises and various other injuries along her back and inside her vagina from the brutal assault.
The document also states that Gross continues to suffer from ‘severe psychological harm and depression, feelings of shame, humiliation, loss of sleep’ and other symptoms.
The suit, seeking punitive damages, accuses both men of assault, battery, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other counts.
It also accuses the Wantagh Fire Department, Wantagh Fire District and Board of Commissioners of negligence in failing to protect their staff by allowing them to come into contact with Seier and Kelly.
The suit came a year after a police report was filed in the aftermath of the assault, but neither of the men were ever criminally charged.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Gross has continued to volunteer with the department.
‘My goal is to make it safe, to create a safe environment for people who join, the people still in the department,’ she said.
‘They can think what they want, but as long as I stay strong, I will be okay.’
Neither Kelly nor Seier still work for the department. The Wantagh Fire District declined to comment, citing pending litigation.