Surveillance video was released of the moments described by a female security guard who says the Atlantic City Fire Chief dropped his pants during a security check at the Public Safety building.
Dennis Brooks, the head of Atlantic City’s Fire Department is on administrative leave amid allegations of sexual harassment.
“She was appalled,” said the woman’s attorney Sebastian Ionno. “She was just in complete shock.”
Ionno told NBC10 the alleged incident occurred March 5 as Brooks was passing through a metal detector during a standard screening inside the Atlantic City Fire Department building. The woman claimed her request for Brooks to “remove metal from pockets” quickly turned inappropriate.
“At that point, Chief Brooks undid his belt, pulled down his pants and told my client he was having a bad day,” Ionno said. “Standing there in his underwear, one of the highest ranking members of the Atlantic City government.”
Ionno and the worker sent a complaint letter to the city’s attorney calling on city officials to preserve any evidence, including surveillance video, that may have captured the alleged incident. Ionno told NBC10 his client hasn’t decided yet whether she wants to file a lawsuit. At this point however, Ionno wants Brooks to be reprimanded and does not want the worker to face any repercussions.
“Even though she is concerned about the consequences against her, she felt she had to do this for herself and for other employees,” Ionno said.
NBC10 reached out to Chief Brooks throughout the day. We have not yet heard back from him. At this point, police say they are not conducting a criminal investigation. The Atlantic City Mayor’s Office told NBC10 an internal investigation is underway however.
