JASON SCHREIBER
The Union Leader

EPPING - The town's assistant fire chief has earned nearly $20,000 since he was placed on paid leave last August following allegations he inappropriately touched a female EMT during the annual Firemen's Ball.

Marc Nickerson's future with the fire department is uncertain, but he remains on paid leave and has continued to receive his regular pay for the last seven months, according to town officials.

Nickerson, 31, of Epping, pleaded guilty Feb. 11 to a simple assault charge as part of a plea deal resulting from a state police investigation launched after the Firemen's Ball last March.

Nickerson was charged last summer with two counts of sexual assault after a female EMT with whom he works claimed he was drunk and touched her breasts during the ball at Epping Middle School.

Those sexual assault charges were dropped last month and replaced with a single simple assault charge accusing Nickerson of knowingly causing unprivileged physical contact with the woman by "touching her upper torso with his hand."

Nickerson pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, all of which was suspended for 18 months on good behavior. He was also ordered to undergo an alcohol evaluation and have no contact with the woman.

Nickerson has been on paid leave since Aug. 13, pending the outcome of the case.

Town accountant Lisa Fogg said Nickerson earns an annual salary of $45,000 and since being placed on leave, has received $19,944 as of the last pay period, which ended March 9.

While the criminal case has been settled, Nickerson's future employment with the town isn't clear.

Karen Sott-Falcone, chairman of the board of selectmen, declined to comment this week on Nickerson's status or on a nonpublic session held before Monday night's selectmen's meeting.

When asked Tuesday whether Nickerson was still on the town's payroll, Fogg said, "As far as I know nothing has changed."

Nickerson's attorney, Andrew Cotrupi, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

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March 16, 2011