9/11 veteran says FDNY is denying him benefits and pension

Veteran Firefighter Sues FDNY Over Allegations of Discrimination

A decorated Army veteran, Leonard Doraves, has filed a $2 million lawsuit against the FDNY, claiming the department unlawfully denied him his reinstatement and benefits as a veteran. Doraves, who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan since the September 11 attacks, argues that the FDNY is violating federal laws designed to protect veterans.

In his lawsuit, Doraves recounts the trauma he experienced while working at Ground Zero, where he helped identify the remains of 343 firefighters before being called to active military service. “It was a very traumatic experience for me to go through and be treated in such a horrible way,” the 64-year-old shared in a recent interview.

During his deployment, Doraves received a letter from the city discussing his health insurance and pension, which he claims caused considerable distress for his family. “My wife was terrified; she thought it was a death notice,” he noted. “I’m serving, and they’re harassing my family. I just don’t understand it.”

Doraves, who served from 2002 to 2019, believes he is entitled to reassume his former position under U.S. law that protects civilian jobs for returning service members. Unfortunately, he says the FDNY has refused to rehire him and has denied him access to the 9/11 health program.

The lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn federal court, accuses the FDNY of engaging in “discriminatory conduct” that is intentional and malicious. Doraves is seeking damages for lost wages and benefits and the right to participate in the World Trade Medical Surveillance Program, claiming a violation of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

A spokesperson for the FDNY contended that Doraves owes a significant amount of salary recovery to the city. They claim he did not properly inform the Army regarding his dual income while serving full-time. Doraves’ attorney, Peter Gleeson, pointed out that as an appointed officer, he didn’t enlist in the traditional sense, but he was nevertheless bound to serve.

Gleeson highlighted that the agreement from the Bloomberg administration regarding salary collection had specific limits, which are often ignored during times of war or national emergencies.

Doraves, who grew up in Whitestone and had a brief stint as a traffic cop, joined the FDNY in 1985, eventually becoming a Fire Marshall. He worked tirelessly at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks, saying he often returned home each night “covered in the smell of death.”

In February 2002, he filled out the necessary paperwork to serve in the Army Reserves while still with the FDNY, anticipating he could return afterward. “It was an honor to serve my country after 9/11,” he expressed.

However, upon returning from several combat tours, he was taken aback to receive official letters in 2010 indicating that he and his family had lost their health insurance and pension benefits from the FDNY. This, coinciding with visits from officials trying to locate him, left his family scrambling for medical coverage. “It distracted me from my mission,” he said, reflecting on the chaos that ensued.

After being honorably discharged in 2019, Doraves sought to rejoin the FDNY but alleges he was turned away during his medical evaluation. The lawsuit claims this incident constituted “constructive termination.”

Despite his efforts, he remains barred from participating in the FDNY’s health program associated with 9/11-related illnesses, which he believes is unjust given his status as a certified first responder.