A Westbrook firefighter was put on unpaid administrative leave after his wife sought two protection-from-abuse orders against him.

Anthony Cataldi, a part-time call firefighter with the Westbrook Fire and Rescue Department, went on unpaid leave Sept. 14.

His wife, Laurie Cataldi, filed for one protection-from-abuse order Sept. 1 in Portland District Court. She filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on Sept. 3.

The second protection order was filed in Goffstown District Court in New Hampshire. A hearing was held Monday, but a final decision has not been made.

Anthony Cataldi declined to comment. Fire Chief Mike Pardue said he will remain on unpaid leave pending an internal investigation. He declined to provide further details.

Cataldi joined the department in 2001. He worked about 417 hours in the year starting Nov. 1, 2009.

The Fire and Rescue Department is working to improve its public image in the wake of sexual harassment complaints that led to dismissals and other discipline against several department members.

The department has about 77 members, roughly 30 of whom work full-time. The rest are part-time or call company members.

In July, two firefighters lost their jobs after they were charged with off-duty crimes.

James Gammon, a full-time firefighter who state records show has a 1983 felony conviction for robbery, was arrested June 25 and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He is appealing his dismissal.

Richard Dorr, a call firefighter, was arrested June 22 and charged with domestic violence, criminal threatening and obstructing the report of a crime. The Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office dropped the charges of domestic violence and criminal threatening.

J.P. DeGrinney, the attorney for Dorr, said Monday that the District Attorney’s Office offered to file the case for a year – meaning the case would be dismissed if Dorr maintained a clean record – but he declined the offer. A jury will be selected on Nov. 15 for a trial.

 

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at: mcreamer@pressherald.com

 

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