Residency ruse weaves a tangled web in Lynn

LYNN – A Lynn firefighter whose residency was called into question after his arrest last week continues to work for the department as accusations of his alleged double life are sparking between his soon-to-be ex-wife and his former girlfriend on-the-side.It’s the third time firefighter Michael Ortiz has been in trouble with the department in less than one year.”He was living a double life,” said 28-year-old Kathryn Howard, the now ex-girlfriend of Ortiz who said she had no idea he was still married when they were together. “This is unacceptable behavior.”Ortiz, who turned 45 years old on Thursday and made $55,920 as a firefighter in 2007, was arrested at 7 a.m. on Aug. 19 after he allegedly assaulted Howard and her brother, Paul Howard, 23, at their 150 Bellevue Road, Lynn home.A police report of the incident states Kathryn Howard told police Ortiz was living with her to obtain residency and that he really lives with his father in Newton.The city of Lynn requires all municipal employees to reside within city limits except for school teachers.Ortiz said in a phone interview Monday that he became “homeless” since his arrest and is living out of his pickup truck.”I am currently a homeless firefighter looking for a place to live,” Ortiz said. “I can’t afford to lose my job over bogus allegations.”A document obtained by the Item shows Ortiz was suspended from the fire department for two days on March 5, 2008 for an “incident” that occurred on Jan. 29, 2008. The document, which did not provide details about what happened on Jan. 29, was signed by Acting Fire Chief James Carritte, City of Lynn Personnel Director Joseph Driscoll, Ortiz and his attorney.In a separate incident, Ortiz admitted to the city’s Residency Compliance Commission that he was living outside the city with his wife, Debra Ortiz, in Medford just over six months ago, according to James Lamanna of the commission.Driscoll said the Jan. 29 incident was unrelated to the hearing about his residency, but would not comment on the incident further.After Ortiz admitted to living outside the city, he was given 180 days to move within city limits, transfer to another fire department or lose his job.Howard’s father told police he signed a document for Ortiz stating he lived with him and his daughter at their two-family Bellevue Road home in order for Ortiz to keep his job, according to the police report taken when Ortiz was arrested.”I was living there. That was my primary residence,” Ortiz said, referring to the Bellevue Road home. “There had been times where I spent time with my son [in Medford]. There’s no crime against that.”Carritte said Tuesday that Ortiz is still working for the fire department and has not been disciplined, but would not comment further because the matter is a personnel issue that is protected by privacy laws.Driscoll, who is also part of the Residency Compliance Commission, said the commission will likely wait until the outcome of the assault case against Ortiz plays out in court before issuing a hearing regarding Ortiz’ residency.”We do not have currently any hearing for him scheduled,” Driscoll said. “I believe at some point in the future the Residency Compliance Commission will schedule something.”In separate interviews with Ortiz’ wife Debra and his now former girlfriend Kathryn Howard, the women said they were deceived by Ortiz who would often say he was working overtime as an excuse to spend the night somewhere else.Somerville District Court records show Debra Ortiz, 45, took out restraining orders against Michael Ortiz in 1994 and 1996. She alleged in 1996 that he came at her with a barbeque fork and slammed her head into a stockade fence. Debra said the couple has had problems for years and are filing for divorce.She met Howard for the first time last Thursday when the two got together to talk about Ortiz’ behavior.”I wanted to find out exactly what was going on. We sat down civilly and put it all together,” Debra Ortiz said.Howard, who says her