Barletta, CEO of Contractor on Washington Bridge, Arrested on Multiple Charges in MA
GoLocalProv News Team
Barletta, CEO of Contractor on Washington Bridge, Arrested on Multiple Charges in MA
Barletta’s company is leading the repair work on the Washington Bridge and has been issued an emergency contract by the McKee administration.
The company is under indictment by the Rhode Island Attorney General for its role in the dumping of contaminated material in the Olneyville section of Providence at a site adjacent to homes with children and, at the time of the dumping, two pregnant women.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe company, Barletta Heavy Division, signed a non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice in October of 2023. The company paid $1.5 million and the supervisor of the 6/10 project pled guilty to multiple charges as part of the agreement.
Governor Dan McKee has repeatedly defended the use of Barletta for doing the construction and emergency repair work on the Washington Bridge.
According to reports, on February 23, 2024 at approximately 4:00 PM, Needham Police were notified by a crossing guard that a man was passed out in his vehicle.
“Prior to my arrival, in addition to the 911 call about the passed-out party behind the wheel of a vehicle, [a] crossing guard who was working a detail at Eaton Funeral Home (1351 Highland Avenue), radioed for an immediate response, based on his observations of the passed-out operator,” stated the police report of Patrolman Jose Palomino.
“Upon my arrival, I noticed several vehicles stopped at the intersection of Highland Avenue and May Street (both public ways in the Town of Needham) and was directed to a gray Ford F150 (Massachusetts Commercial Registration REDACTED BY GOLOCAL) by crossing guard As I approached the Ford F150 the vehicle began fleeing northbound on Highland Avenue away from the intersection. I immediately got back into my cruiser and initiated my emergency lights and sirens. The operator drove through a moderate traffic flow and through multiple pedestrians crossing the streets due to the ongoing funeral. The funeral required a detail due to the number of expected attendees and the time of day. I attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop due to the concern for public safety and safety of the operator, who could have been experiencing a medical episode,” wrote Palomino in his report.
“While less than one car length behind the Ford F150 with my emergency lights and sirens activated we traveled approximately a half mile before coming to a stop near Verizon (1189 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA). Along the way there was multiple safe and open spots on Highland Avenue to pull over safely.”
“I approached the driver’s side window and asked the operator [if] anything was wrong. I immediately smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. [Barletta] said nothing was wrong and he was going home. As he was speaking he continuously slurred his speech, and his eyes were red and glassy. Due to all the circumstances up to this point I asked [him] to turn the vehicle off and remove the key, which he complied, but while doing so he dropped the key in between the seat and the driver’s side door. [He] could not reach the key without opening the door,” stated Palomino’s report.
Barletta’s company is headquartered in Canton.
Patrolman Palomino wrote, “I asked him if he had any alcoholic beverages this today and he stated no. I asked him about passing out behind the wheel and he did not recall that happening. I asked him about not immediately stopping when my emergency lights and sirens were activated, and he did not recall that happening. He stated he was coming from work in Canton and was cutting through Needham to get home, which is in Weston.”
Patrolman Palomino and Sergeant Brian Gallerani conducted Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFSTs), according to their reports.
“Based on all the above circumstances, clues, and observations, I determined that [Barletta] was under the influence of alcohol. At this time, he was informed that he was under arrest for REDACTED. I handcuffed (double locked and checked for tightness) REDACTED behind his back. I informed him that I needed to conduct a search of his person and asked if he had anything that could harm me. He did not say anything. Glasses and money were found on REDACTED and that was placed in his front blazer pocket. He was placed in the back of my cruiser with no further issues. NPD dispatch was informed that I was conducting a prisoner transport back to NPD Station for the booking process. While transporting back to NPD Station a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was present in the cruiser that was not there at the beginning of my shift,” wrote Palomino.
Officer Patrick Keleher remained on scene and conducted a motor vehicle inventory of the Ford F150 and awaited the for Roadside Rescue. That motor vehicle inventory will be attached to this report. Roadside Rescue was informed about the mandatory 12 hour hold on the vehicle. Sergeant Gallerani conducted the booking process and Officer Matthew MacDonald, and I were present. [Barletta] was afforded all his rights, and which he stated he understood verbally and in writing. [He] was asked if he would consent to a Breath Test at the time of booking and he declined. He was informed of the potential consequences and penalties and still wished to decline,” wrote Palomino.
Sergeant Gallerani wrote in his report, “I asked him if he was aware that he had passed out at the wheel in traffic. He responded that he passes through Needham all the time on his way home from his office. When I clarified to him that he was passed out not passing through he responded he was not aware that he had been."
All of the charges are misdemeanors.