North Bergen EMT Alleges Sexual Harassment in Lawsuit Against Township

A North Bergen Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) has filed a lawsuit against the Township of North Bergen, its EMS department, and several supervisors, alleging severe sexual harassment, retaliation, and a hostile work environment. The plaintiff’s name is being withheld to protect their privacy.

The lawsuit describes a workplace culture where a supervisor, identified as Christian Ventura, allegedly subjected the EMT to repeated harassment over several years. The plaintiff alleges that Ventura groped them, sent “vulgar and explicit pictures,” and, on one occasion, exposed himself in a workplace bathroom. The complaint details that Ventura also kissed the plaintiff without consent on multiple occasions and placed his hand on their thigh, “nearly touching their genitalia.”

After rejecting Ventura’s advances, the EMT alleges that retaliation followed. The lawsuit claims Ventura began threatening disciplinary actions for pretextual reasons and instructed coworkers to isolate the plaintiff. Despite raising these concerns to EMS Chief David Prina and Deputy Chief Gendalie Santiago, the plaintiff alleges the township “downplayed” their experiences and pressured them to sign a document absolving Ventura of responsibility.

According to the lawsuit, Ventura was permitted to resign without discipline, despite an independent investigator finding that he had engaged in “inappropriate actions in the workplace.” Following his resignation, the plaintiff claims they continued to face harassment from colleagues who were aligned with Ventura. The complaint describes coworkers calling them a “bitch” and physically intimidating them in the workplace.

The township, in its legal response, denies the allegations and maintains that it has policies in place prohibiting sexual harassment and retaliation. It argues that the claims lack merit and notes that the township retained an outside investigator to review the complaints.

Filed under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, the lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, and workplace reforms to address harassment and retaliation.

The case is ongoing.