Long Island council member unloads haymakers on fellow pol during closed-door meeting: report

In a shocking turn of events, a Long Island town board member has been charged with assaulting a fellow politician during a closed-door government meeting. The incident occurred during an executive session where tensions ran high over an undisclosed legal matter.

Thomas Lohmann, a white-haired 68-year-old Smithtown Town Council member, allegedly unleashed a flurry of punches on fellow Republican Tom McCarthy, also 68, who was seated four seats away. The scuffle unfolded in front of the town supervisor, town attorney, and other board members, leaving everyone stunned.

Video footage obtained by The Post captured the moment Lohmann attacked McCarthy, prompting the latter to retaliate by tossing a chair in anger. The altercation escalated quickly, leading to Lohmann being charged with assault. The former NYPD homicide detective and assistant special investigator for the Suffolk County district attorney is scheduled to appear in court on April 28 to face the charges.

McCarthy, who had previously defeated Lohmann in a 2017 Republican primary, has expressed concerns for his safety and is seeking a restraining order against his colleague. He reportedly sustained injuries to his jaw, neck, and shoulder from the multiple punches and had to undergo an MRI on four different parts of his body.

The fallout from this incident has left both men embroiled in a heated controversy, with McCarthy stating that he no longer feels safe working with Lohmann. Despite multiple attempts to reach out to both parties for comment, they have remained silent on the matter.

As the town of Smithtown grapples with the aftermath of this altercation, residents are left questioning the conduct of their elected officials and the decorum expected in public office. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and civility in all interactions, especially within the realm of government and public service.