Lawsuit claims sexual abuse at Odenton fire unit

Two former volunteer firefighters allege misconduct by ex-president

The plaintiffs filed police reports July 17 and July 18, 2005, respectively. D'Camera shot himself in the head July 24 while parked in his car at a park-and-ride lot in Harwood.

The lawsuit claims that D'Camera left "many" suicide notes in which he admitted that he assaulted the younger plaintiff. The police investigation was eventually closed because there was no one to charge.

In 1998, D'Camera was charged with third-degree sexual assault for allegedly fondling a 17-year-old volunteer at the Odenton company. According to the lawsuit, his behavior was well-known in the company and included ordering young volunteers to run around the firehouse naked.

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, alleging negligent retention and supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The older plaintiff also is alleging defamation.

The county has 1,400 firefighters, including more than 800 career personnel and more than 500 volunteers at 30 fire stations. The county runs 11 of the stations and volunteers run 19, although the county owns some equipment and buildings run by the volunteers.

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