SMITHTOWN – Last Tuesday’s meeting of the Smithtown Town Council allegedly turned physical. Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Tom McCarthy (R-Nissequogue) says that Councilman Tom Lohmann (R-Smithtown) physically assaulted him during a closed-door, executive session meeting.
Lohmann has been charged with Assault in the Third Degree, a misdemeanor. McCarthy says he is undergoing medical examination for injuries. He told Newsday that he was punched in the shoulder and jaw and now experiences pain from the attack.
“I was the victim of a serious assault resulting in documented medical injuries. Medical evaluation supports that my injuries are consistent with trauma. I am seeking accountability and justice through proper legal channels,” McCarthy told The Messenger.
Councilman Lohmann declined to comment as per his legal counsel.
The point of debate that led to the altercation is unknown as of this time. The two councilmen were in executive session – an unrecorded, private meeting between the Town Board and the Town Attorney, Matt Jakubowski – with Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) and fellow Councilwomen Lynne Nowick (R-St. James) and Lisa Inzerillo (R-Kings Park).
Despite the controversy, Councilwoman Nowick hopes that this doesn’t stain the level of “care” both councilmen bring to Smithtown.
“I like and respect them both; we’re all part of a team,” Nowick told The Messenger. “These are two good men who care about Smithtown and have served the town so well. I don’t want to see all of that to get lost in the background because of this.”
Nowick added that the argument got heated – “nothing wrong with that,” says the former Tax Receiver and County Legislator who’s seen her fair share of fierce debate.
“That’s nothing new. I’ve been in situations where people disagree and it gets loud.”
Nowick says she witnessed Lohmann rise from his seat and approach McCarthy at the other end of the desk and put his hands on McCarthy’s shoulders. McCarthy then stood up, requested that Lohmann remove his hands from his shoulders, but she says she saw no punches thrown.
“It would be nice for there to be a mediator in this,” said Nowick. “Again, I must stress, I respect both of these men who care so deeply about this town.”
A video circulating online shows Lohmann at the end of the dais being confronted by McCarthy, who was leaving the room after the close of the meeting. The two begin another heated exchange and McCarthy steps back up to the dais and shoves a chair out of his way to confront Lohmann. No physical altercation broke out at this point, as it occurred after the scuffle in executive session. McCarthy was reportedly demanding an apology from Lohmann, or else he would press charges.
“We are not commenting at this time pending the investigation,” a spokesperson for Supervisor Wehrheim told The Messenger.
A representative for District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) told The Messenger that the allegations will have to be litigated and that they have no further comment at this time.
Two more eyewitnesses, Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo (R-Kings Park) and Town Clerk Tom McCarthy (R-Smithtown), declined The Messenger’s request for comment on Tuesday.
However, on Wednesday evening, Councilwoman Inzerillo made a lengthy Facebook post, aligning herself with Lohmann.
“Articles were written based solely on McCarthy’s statements, without speaking to a single one of the six eyewitnesses who were present,” stated Inzerillo on Facebook. “In fact, not one of us was interviewed.”
Inzerillo continued by recounting a Monday evening social for the Smithtown Conservative Party, where multiple elected officials received calls from Councilman McCarthy claiming he had been “struck multiple times and suffered fractures, among other things.” She alleges that his statements then conflicted with what he disseminated to the press, adding that his “story has changed several times.”
“As an eyewitness who has already provided statements to Public Safety and the District Attorney’s Office (and who is still waiting for the Fourth Precinct to interview those of us who were actually there), reading these false accounts has been both frustrating and surreal,” said Inzerillo.
She then dropped a bombshell, claiming that she’s “personally experienced harassment” from McCarthy over the years.
“…much of which I chose not to publicly address because I have repeatedly seen him cast himself as the victim.”
“In 2019, I stood up for two secretaries who were allegedly being harassed on a daily basis to the point that they were emotionally worn down, shells of women. In response, McCarthy attempted to sue me,” said Inzerillo in the social media post. “Councilman Lohmann and I spent most of our professional lives in the private sector, and I believe that background is part of why we work so well together. We approach public service with a commitment to results, not politics. Some career politicians may not appreciate that approach, but our constituents do, and that is what matters most.”
She then encouraged the media to make Freedom of Information law (FOIL) requests to corroborate her claims. She also mentioned the April 7 footage of the rear parking lot at Hall, 3:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. specifically.
“The same individual who claimed he was brutally attacked remained inside Town Hall for hours after the meeting and later walked out appearing healthy and uninjured,” said Inzerillo. “Common sense raises serious questions. If someone had truly suffered the severe injuries now being alleged, including claims of serious head trauma, you would reasonably expect that person to seek immediate medical attention and leave right away.”
She added that the people of Smithtown “deserve the truth” and for staff to come to work each day “feeling respected, supported, and safe.”
“Time to take out the trash!” closed Inzerillo.
She then tagged local media outlets and shared a photoshopped image of Councilman McCarthy with a comically large nose, comparing him to Pincocchio. Another image was a quote allegedly by McCarthy to Lohmann, “You are a f–king piece of s–t cop like all the rest of them.”
This is a developing story.
