LEOMINSTER — On Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2024, at 1:20 p.m., Leominster Police Officers Laurinda Dion and James McKenna responded to 6 McKinley Street following a report that a man at the residence was threatened by his roommate.
(The account and quotations in this article were taken from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Dion).
Upon arrival, Officer Dion was informed by dispatch that the caller, Stephen Padovano, 70, had also reported being assaulted. Padovano, whose son owns the residence, lives in the McKinley Street home with three roommates who rent the bedrooms.
Outside the residence, Officer Dion was met with Staci Padovano (Stephen’s 41-year-old daughter), Richard Cushman, 47, (one of Padovano’s roommates), and Stephen Padovano (the caller).
Stephen Galletta, the 71-year-old roommate Padovano alleged had threatened and assaulted him, remained inside the residence.
Officer Dion spoke with Cushman first because he said he witnessed the argument between Padovano and Galletta.
“Richard stated that Padovano was talking with Galletta about his room in the basement and how he did not want Galletta doing any more work to try and turn it into a separate apartment,” Officer Dion said. “Richard stated that Galletta got upset and started threatening to kill Padovano.”
After he was threatened, Cushman said that Padovano announced that he was going to call the police, then walked into his room and sat down in a chair with his phone. Galletta entered Padovano’s room, closely followed by Cushman, who positioned himself to intervene if necessary.
“Richard stated that Galletta told Padovano he’d ‘break his neck if he called the police,’” Officer Dion recounted.
Cushman said that Galletta walked up to Padovano and kicked him in the knee, making him drop his phone.
“I asked Richard if Galletta was wearing shoes at the time, and he said yes,” Officer Dion said. “Richard stated that when the two started arguing he called Padovano’s daughter, Staci, and put her on speaker so she could hear what was going on between the two of them.”
Staci told Officer Dion that when Cushman called her, she made her way over to the house to check on her father.
“Staci stated she heard Padovano and Galletta arguing back and forth through the phone with Richard, but was not present to see the assault happen,” Officer Dion said. “Staci explained that her brother, Padovano’s son, owns the house, but she is her brother’s power of attorney. Staci stated that Padovano agreed to let Galletta move in a couple years ago because the two had been friends their whole lives.”
Staci said that when Galletta moved in, he began converting the basement into his own apartment, despite expectations for him to occupy a room on the main floor. He began this conversion by installing plastic dividers to delineate his area, adding a refrigerator, and recently installing cupboards.
“Staci stated that Galletta was never supposed to try to turn the basement into a separate living space, adding that he had been warned before to stop because they did not want an illegal apartment in the basement,” Officer Dion said. “Staci stated that the roommates had their own bedrooms but were all supposed to share the common spaces and eat upstairs (on the main floor). Staci inquired about how to get Galletta out of the home and I advised her she would need to go through the eviction process.”
Officer Dion then spoke with Padovano outside the residence. She asked if he was okay and he said ‘yes’ but his knee hurt. When asked if he needed medical attention, Padovano said ‘no.’
“When I asked him what happened with Galletta, he stated that he called Galletta up from the basement to talk about what he had been doing in the basement and how he didn’t want Galletta making his own little apartment down there or doing any illegal work,” Officer Dion said. “Padovano stated that Galletta has always had a temper, but when Galletta started threatening to kill him, Padovano told him he was going to call the police. Padovano stated that Galletta followed him into his room and when he sat down, Galletta kicked him in the knee. I asked Padovano if he believed Galletta would kill him, he stated that he fears Galletta might with how bad his temper has gotten. Padovano stated that Galletta had threatened him before, but this was the first-time things had gotten physical.”
With Staci’s direction, Officers Dion and McKenna entered the basement to speak with Galletta.
“Across half the basement was semi-clear, heavy plastic hanging down from the ceiling creating a mock ‘wall,’” Officer Dion said. “I called Galletta but did not get a reply. After passing the plastic I called again and heard a male angrily respond ‘what?’ When I opened the door to what appeared to be Galletta’s bedroom/living room, I observed him sitting in a lazy boy watching a show. I observed that Galletta was wearing army style boots on his feet.”
Officer Dion asked Galletta what transpired with Padovano.
“Initially, he said nothing happened and they talked about him doing work downstairs,” Officer Dion said. “Galletta stated that Padovano was yelling at him for stuff that didn’t make sense. I asked if the argument became physical at all, and he said no. I advised Galletta that due to the alleged assault and battery with dangerous weapon (shod foot) he was under arrest. Galletta complied with my directions, and I handcuffed him and escorted him to Officer McKenna’s cruiser for transport.”
Officer Dion returned to the home to speak with Padovano about his history with Galletta and to ask if he wanted an emergency restraining order.
“I asked Padovano how his knee was, and he stated that it was a little sore; I asked if he would be able to roll up his pant leg so I could see where he was struck,” Officer Dion said. “When Padovano rolled up his pant leg, I immediately saw a red mark where blood vessels had broken under the skin. I asked Padovano if I could take a photo for the report, and he said that would be okay. After taking the photograph I sent the photo to my department email and deleted it from all other folders. I asked for the Leominster Fire Department (LFD) to respond to document the injury; Padovano refused medical attention when they arrived. Padovano stated that Galletta had never gotten physical before but today he threatened to kill him multiple times and then kicked him. I asked Padovano how the argument ended and how Galletta ended up back in the basement. Padovano stated that when Galletta kicked him, he stood up with his cane in his hand, held up at shoulder height to defend himself. Padovano stated that Galletta told him to ‘do it’ but he did not strike Galletta with the cane. Padovano stated that after that he called 911 and Galletta went into the basement.”
When Officer Dion asked Padovano if he wanted to apply for a restraining order, he said yes.
“I assisted Padovano with filling out the paperwork and transcribed that affidavit for him,” Officer Dion said. “Once the paperwork was complete, I called Honorable Judge K. Bailey who issued the Abuse Prevention Order ([set] to expire 1/8/24 at 4 p.m.). I advised Padovano to immediately report any violation of the order and advised him to respond to the court Monday morning to have the order extended. Upon return to the station, I spoke with Galletta in Cell #1; I advised him of the restraining order and put a copy in his property box.”
Galletta was charged with assault and battery on 60+, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), intimidation of a witness, and threat to commit a crime (murder).
Galletta was arraigned in Leominster District Court on Jan. 8, 2024. After his arraignment, Galletta was released on his own personal recognizance under the condition that he stay away from and not contact Padovano.
Padovano is due back in court on Feb. 29, 2024, for a pretrial hearing.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story was from January, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to get the court documents for the incident. FOIAs are time consuming.
