Resident Laurie Ortolano recently lost a civil rights lawsuit she brought against the city, claiming that she was wrongfully arrested in 2021. Courtesy photo

NASHUA — City officials recently scored a major victory in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by resident Laurie Ortolano.

The jury delivered its unanimous verdict on Feb. 9.

Filed in August 2022, the lawsuit targeted Mayor James Donchess, Corporation Counsel Steven Bolton, Deputy Corporation Counsel Celia Leonard, former Chief Financial Officer John Griffin, former Chief Assessor Jonathan Duhamel, former Administrative Services Director Kimberly Kleiner, former Police Chief Michael Carrignan, former police Sgt. Frank Lombardi; Inception Technologies, Inc. and its president, Raymond Feoli.

In the Complaint, Ortolano claimed that her First Amendment rights were violated when she was arrested for trespassing in February 2021. She said the arrest was a form of retaliation from the city for her public criticism regarding property taxes. As a result, Ortolano demanded $2 million in damages.

According to the city, Ortolano forced her way into the private offices of the city’s Legal Department and refused to leave. Although she initially pled guilty to trespassing, the conviction was later annulled.

Going into the jury trial, Ortolano was already at a disadvantage. Before the proceedings began, every defendant, except for Bolton and Leonard, had been dismissed. In addition, eight of the original 10 counts were dropped as well.

Since moving to Nashua in 2013, Ortolano has filed more than 15 lawsuits against the city. These actions have resulted in previously undisclosed records being released, awarding attorneys’ expenses and requiring city employees to be educated on the Right-To-Know Law.

In recent years, Ortolano, representing herself, filed two appeals to garner information regarding the final construction cost of the Performing Arts Center.