In a courtroom drama that unfolded on Tuesday, Thomas Lohmann, a long-standing figure in Long Island’s political landscape, faced the scrutiny of the legal system after being accused of physically assaulting a fellow Smithtown Town Board member. The incident, which has stirred local politics, took place during a confidential government meeting.
Lohmann, who is 68, stood before the court with a serene demeanor, as he entered a plea of not guilty regarding the charges that allege he attacked his colleague, Thomas McCarthy, also 68. The altercation reportedly occurred on April 7, during a heated executive session following a public meeting. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Judge Alonzo Jacobs dismissed McCarthy’s request for an order of protection, citing the duo’s decade-long working relationship and indicating he did not perceive Lohmann as a threat.
Outside the Central Islip district court, Lohmann’s defense attorney, Philip Branigan, addressed the media, affirming his client’s innocence and expressing confidence that the truth would emerge during the trial.
The allegations stem from McCarthy’s claim that Lohmann, in a moment of anger, struck him in the jaw inside Smithtown Town Hall. Adding another layer to the narrative, fellow board member Lisa Inzerillo, who witnessed the commotion, voiced skepticism about McCarthy’s account. She likened him to “the boy who cried wolf” in her remarks to The Post, yet stopped short of confirming whether she saw Lohmann actually hit McCarthy.
McCarthy had accused his colleague of losing his cool after a public session and punching him in the jaw during a heated executive session inside Smithtown Town Hall.
Smithtown Town Board member Lisa Inzerillo, who was in the room during the kerfuffle, backed-up Lohmann and called McCarthy “the boy who cried wolf” in comments to The Post — but declined to answer if she saw Lohmann strike McCarthy.
“The truth is just around the corner,” she said
The rival politicians allegedly started arguing over a legal matter during the closed-door session in early April — though prosecutors didn’t detail what sparked the dust-up.
Lohmann then allegedly hopped out of his seat and quickly ran up on McCarthy as he was speaking, pushing him and delivering a haymaker to the left side of his jaw, prosecutors said.
A video of the aftermath showed McCarthy angrily confronting Lohmann.
Prosecutors told Judge Jacobs that they have not finished collecting witness statements or even reviewing and obtaining surveillance footage from the incident.
But they did say McCarthy was treated at the hospital that same night for injuries consistent with the allegations against Lohmann, and noted officials have obtained police body cam footage they said back up the charges from the officers at the scene.
Lohmann was charged with misdemeanor assault, which is not bail eligible under state laws. He was released on his own accord.
The councilman — who was absent from the first town meeting on April 23 after his arrest — is due back in court on June 10.
