Changes in Leadership at Barletta, Lead Contractor on Washington Bridge
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Changes in Leadership at Barletta, Lead Contractor on Washington Bridge
Previously, Foley was vice president at the company and Barletta Engineering Corporation, a related company.
Vincent Barletta is facing a number of legal issues.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“This is a much-deserved promotion for a valued employee. The transition in leadership comes at a time when Vin personally wanted to take a step back from day-to-day operations,” said Patti Doyle, a spokesperson for the company, about the management changes.
MAY 2023
Last week GoLocal unveiled that Barletta was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, as well as one other related charge.
That incident, which the Commonwealth is now prosecuting, took place on the Mass. Pike, according to court documents.
Each of those charges is a misdemeanor with a penalty of no greater than 100 days of incarceration.
FEBRUARY 2024
Barletta was arrested by Needham Police for driving under the influence and other charges, according to police documents.
According to police reports secured by GoLocal through a Freedom of Information Act Request, 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.
In total, Barletta is facing six different charges for the two incidents.
Under Alviti - Barletta Is the Lead Contractor on Many of the State’s Biggest Transportation Projects
Under Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti, Barletta’s company has been awarded many of Rhode Island’s top transportation contracts, including the 6/10 project, the construction of the Henderson Bridge, the construction of the Pawtucket-Central Fall Transit Center as well as the Washington Bridge. Some of these contracts have been to consortiums in which Barletta is the lead.
The total contracts for those projects exceed $600 million.
Barletta’s office refused to comment on the charges in Massachusetts.
Governor Dan Mckee has repeatedly defended Barletta receiving the contracts to repair the bridge, and refused to comment on Vincent Barletta's arrest for driving under the influence.
- Presently, Barletta’s company is under felony indictment by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office for its role in the dumping of contaminated material in the Olneyville section of Providence as the lead contractor on the 6/10 project.
In announcing the indictment in January of 2023, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said, “As alleged in the Information, Mr. Ferreira [then-the project supervisor for the 6/10 project] and Barletta used the 6/10 site as an environmental dumping ground, and not only for Rhode Island waste. Worse yet, they made Rhode Island a dumping ground for Massachusetts waste.”
“Their actions come at the expense of Rhode Islander’s public health and their environment. Rhode Island’s environmental and public health laws exist for a reason. To keep Rhode Islanders safe, and to preserve our environment. We will continue to aggressively enforce those laws. Because Rhode Islanders deserve nothing less,” Neronha added.
- The company signed a non-prosecution agreement in October of 2022 with the U.S. Department of Justice. “When federal tax dollars fund work in our communities, we expect that the government will get what it bargains for,” said U.S Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Zachary Cunha. “In this case, that didn’t happen. Today’s resolution should serve as a reminder to any company or corporate official that, when the government is footing the bill, false statements have consequences.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: According to the company, Foley served as VP of both divisions prior to his ascension to President at Barletta Heavy Division.