Courtesy photo A photo supplied by deputy city corporation counsel Celia Leonard shows Laurie Ortolano seated on the floor in a hallway near the entrance to the city's legal bureau on Friday. She was later escorted from City Hall by police. (Courtesy photo)

NASHUA – City officials issued two statements Tuesday in response to a recent Telegraph story regarding the Friday morning incident that culminated in the removal from City Hall of Nashua resident Laurie Ortolano.

The story, which was published Monday to the newspaper’s Website, www.nashuatelegraph.com, was based on a telephone interview with Ortolano and describes the series of events she encountered after showing up at City Hall in what she said was an attempt to get some property tax abatements time-stamped.

The statements, one from the “City of Nashua” and the other from deputy corporation counsel Celia Leonard, offer versions of the events that in some instances differ from Ortolano’s account.

Leonard’s statement appears at the end of this story.

The statement from the city claims that the story “did not present an accurate representation of the matter on which the story is based,” and calls “untrue” Ortolano’s assertion that the city’s newly hired Right-to-Know coordinator, Jesse Neumann, “hasn’t returned a single (phone) call or responded to any of my emails.”

Since Neumann was hired a month ago, the city states, he “has sent 26 emails to Laurie Ortolano.”

Further, the city cites Ortolano’s ongoing Right-to-Know suit against the city prohibits Neumann from meeting with her. City attorneys have “explained this to Ms. Ortolano on more than one occasion,” the statement says.

“As the Right-To-Know coordinator, Attorney Neumann advises The City of Nashua on how best to fulfill Right-to-Know requests in full compliance with all governing statutes,” according to the statement.

Leonard’s statement follows.

“At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021, Laurie Ortolano came to the locked main door of the City’s Legal Department in City Hall. There is a sign next to the door that indicates visits are by appointment only, and gives the Legal Department’s phone number.

“Ms. Ortolano did not have an appointment with anyone in the office. One of the legal assistants heard a knock at the office main door. She went to the door, opened it about a quarter of the way and saw Laurie Ortolano standing there, carrying a purse and a backpack.

“Ms. Ortolano asked to speak to Attorney Neumann. The legal assistant asked if she had an appointment and Ms. Ortolano said no. The legal assistant told Ms. Ortolano she could not enter the office without an appointment. Ms. Ortolano asked if Attorney Neumann was inside the office. She was told that he was not available and told again that she was not allowed to enter the office without an appointment.

“Ms. Ortolano then physically pulled the door the rest of the way open, stormed past the legal assistant and entered the office. “After Ms. Ortolano forced her way into the office, the legal assistant asked Ms. Ortolano to leave and Ms. Ortolano refused.

“Attorney Neumann then repeatedly asked Ms. Ortolano to leave. Instead of leaving, Ms. Ortolano sat down on the floor in front of the doorway to my office.

“Ms. Ortolano was informed the police would be called due to her refusal to leave. The legal assistant called the Nashua Police Department at approximately 9:25 a.m.

“In the meantime, I arrived at the office. I told Ms. Ortolano that she needed to leave and was trespassing. Ms. Ortolano stood up from the floor and then sat on the floor again, this time in front of the office’s main door.

“Ms. Ortolano’s erratic and unusual actions, coupled with her refusal to leave despite multiple requests to do so, were hostile and threatening … especially given recent violent actions against government employees and Ms. Ortolano’s vocal criticism of City staff, including me, at public meetings and in emails to various boards and governmental officials.

“Four police officers arrived at the office. They spoke with Ms. Ortolano for several minutes while she remained on the floor. At approximately 9:35 a.m., the police escorted Ms. Ortolano out of the office.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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