Town official fighting harassment claim

The attorney representing Islip Town public works commissioner Rich Baker formally announced Monday that he was filing a motion to dismiss the harassment violation case brought against his client by a former town employee.

Michael Tomossone, an aide to state Assemb. Alfred Graf (R-Holbrook), has alleged that Baker, who has a court-imposed order of protection against Tomossone, has repeatedly showed up at events that Tomossone attends in a bid to have him arrested for violating the order that Baker won in December 2009.

Tomossone, 43, also alleges that Baker, 55, in March forced him off the road when both men were driving. Baker pleaded not guilty to the violation.

Baker's attorney, Anthony La Pinta of Hauppauge, appeared in First District Court in Central Islip Monday and said he was filing the motion. The matter was adjourned until Oct. 11 when the district attorney's office will have a chance to respond.

The long-simmering feud between the two men began when Tomossone was a town employee during the 2009 election campaign. He and about a dozen others, including some town employees, became convinced Baker -- a Democrat and then-acting public works commissioner -- was doing campaign work on town time for the Democratic administration of Town Supervisor Phil Nolan.

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

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 fired by the town last September.