Baker pleads not guilty of harassment

Islip Town Public Works Commissioner Richard Baker appeared briefly in First District Court in Central Islip Tuesday to answer a charge of harassment in the second degree, alleged by a former town employee convicted of harassing Baker in December 2009.

Baker, 55, of Bayport, entered a plea of not guilty, and the case before Judge Chris Ann Kelley was adjourned until Sept. 19.

The matter is the latest in a simmering political feud between Baker and Michael Tomossone, 43, of Islip Terrace, who now works as a legislative aide to Republican Assemb. Al Graf. Tomossone alleges in court papers that on at least five occasions between Jan. 7, 2009, and July 1 of this year Baker has appeared at Islip Town events in an attempt to have Tomossone arrested for violating an order of protection granted to Baker in December 2009.

Each time, Tomossone said he was conducting his duties as a legislative aide, permitted by the order of protection. Tomossone also alleges that on March 8 Baker drove "unsafely" while passing him, causing Tomossone to have to swerve and strike a curb to avoid being struck by Baker's vehicle.

Baker's attorney, Anthony M. La Pinta of Hauppauge, said he planned to file a motion requesting that the charge, a violation, be dismissed. "Mr. Baker absolutely denies these allegations and stands by his not guilty plea. This is clearly an instance of retaliation. We vigorously dispute the allegations," La Pinta said.

Tomossone, who did not return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday, was an Islip public works department employee during the 2009 election campaign. He and about a dozen others, including some town employees, became convinced that Baker -- a Democrat and then acting public works commissioner -- was doing campaign work on town time for the Democratic administration headed by Town Supervisor Phil Nolan.

Tomossone wound up charged with second-degree harassment for photographing and tailing Baker in an attempt to prove the group's claim.

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Tomossone was twice suspended without pay by the town for insubordination and other disciplinary matters arising from the harassment case for which he was eventually convicted. He was terminated by Islip in September 2010.