INDIANAPOLIS — An off-duty Indianapolis firefighter has entered a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to criminal recklessness after attacking a former Indiana State Representative.
Thomas Gatto was charged with felony battery resulting in moderate injury and criminal recklessness after shoving former Indiana state representative Pat Kiely to the ground in September 2021.
The incident, according to court documents, occurred near the Indiana Statehouse when Gatto became angry with Kiely for blocking the sidewalk while riding in a pedal cab.
Gatto and the group he was with reportedly were making fun of his father for being too old to walk and needing a cab.
Following the attack, Kiely, 71, required stitches for a cut on his face.
Gatto was linked to the crime via bystanders and social media accounts.
Gatto was sentenced to a suspended six-month jail sentence and non-reporting probation. He also was ordered to pay $8,500 in court fees.
According to IFD, Gatto was suspended without pay for 30 days following his arrest.
When the suspension ended, he was assigned to administrative duty.
IFD provided the following statement to WRTV following the verdict.
“As we have learned, the legal process regarding his case was resolved on November 10th with no pending felony charge. IFD will review our policies to see if additional discipline is warranted. Pending that review and possible additional discipline, Private Gatto will return to active duty.”
-
Families hopeful new child welfare laws will save lives, boost transparency
New laws will soon take effect aimed at better protecting children in our state— House Enrolled Acts 1257 and 1036
11 arrested in Shelby County child predator sting, infant rescued
A three-day undercover sting operation targeting online child sex predators resulted in 11 arrests last week in Shelbyville.
Gov. Braun announces $1 billion investment to agriculture and life sciences
Governor Braun announced a $1 billion investment in Indiana's agricultural and life sciences sectors Tuesday, with the goal of creating 100,000 high-wage jobs over the next decade.
Cyberattack on Stryker raises concerns about American data security
A cyberattack targeting U.S.-based medical technology company Stryker — reportedly linked to an Iranian-backed hacking group — is raising new concerns about the safety of Americans' personal data.
