A volunteer medic on Long Island is speaking out after accusing two senior firefighters of plying her with booze and sexually assaulting her during a birthday party — saying she is still traumatized by the ordeal but has continued to volunteer with the department.
Amanda Gross accused Wantagh Fire Department Chief Kenneth Kelly and Capt. Josef Seier of plying her with alcohol to taking advantage of her at the party at the firehouse in 2022, according to the $25 million lawsuit filed in Nassau County Supreme Court and viewed by The Post.
“I thought these people were my friends and they weren’t. They did the complete opposite and took advantage,” Gross told WNBC this week. “They circled the wagons immediately and did what they always try to do — victim shame and victim blame.”
Gross, who was 27 at the time, claimed the men made continuous advances at her during the party before Kelly dismissed the other guests about 2 a.m., according to the lawsuit.
She realized the high-ranking smoke-eaters were planning to rape her when she heard Kelly tell Seier that they were going to “wet her like a sponge,” the filing alleges.
Once everyone else had left, Seier allegedly began forcing himself on Gross and kissing her despite her cries of “No!”
At one point, the two men told Gross that “there were no cameras where they were” — and Seier then became more aggressive and asked her if she wanted to see his penis, the complaint alleges.
She accused the men of raping her in the bathroom when she slipped in and out of consciousness.
“Seier kept telling the Plaintiff ‘come on’ and ‘what is a bad idea?’ while the Plaintiff repeatedly tried to fend him off as she was trapped between Defendant Seier and Defendant Kelly, Jr., as she was too intoxicated to leave,” the lawsuit states.
“Defendants removed the Plaintiff’s clothing from the waist down and Defendant Kelly forcibly bent the Plaintiff over the sink and vaginally penetrated her, unprotected and without her consent,” it alleges.
“At the same time, Defendant Seier forced the Plaintiff to perform fellatio on him, against her will, and without her consent,’ the document adds.
“Defendant Kelly said to the Plaintiff ‘we know you like it’ and then reminded the Plaintiff that it was Defendant Seier’s birthday and that she was to be his ‘present’ all while the Plaintiff was trapped between both of the Defendants who were visibly sexually aroused,” the lawsuit states.
Gross said she finally left the firehouse about 4 a.m. and claims she received a text from Kelly reading: “Had fun last night. But, remember, that’s between you and me and Joe only forever.”
The lawsuit, which names Kelly, Seier, and the Wantagh Fire District, claims the medic suffered multiple bruises, contusions, and pain, as well as “severe psychological harm and depression”
It alleges assault, battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Gross’ lawyer told WNBC that no one had been charged criminally after a police report was filed.
Gross, who had been a department volunteer for six years before the alleged assault, told WNBC she has continued volunteering with the department despite the alleged attack.
“My goal is to make it safe, to create a safe environment for people who join, the people still in the department,” Gross said, noting that the two men no longer work with the force. “They can think what they want, but as long as I stay strong, I will be OK.”
The Wantagh Fire District told WNBC that “at the advice of our legal counsel, the District cannot comment on pending litigation.”
The department referred The Post to its legal counsel, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kelly and Seier also could not immediately be reached.
