Friday, March 6, 2009

From The Times Beacon Record

Is Mike at it again?


School trustee in bar brawl?



By Lee Lutz

September 05, 2005 | 12:38 PM
Comsewogue school board Trustee Mike Gongas was arrested June 24 and charged with assault in the third degree for an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of May 18, following the school board elections held the day before, according to Suffolk County court and police records.

A spokeswoman for District Attorney Tom Spota's office confirmed the reports, adding that the charge, assault with intent to cause physical injury, carries a penalty of up to one year in jail. She added that Gongas was arraigned August 12 and released on his own recognizance. Gongas is due to appear in Suffolk County Criminal Court in Central Islip September 8.

According to the criminal complaint, Gongas physically attacked John Davi Jr., husband of fellow Trustee Michell Davi, who had just been elected to a term on the board earlier that night. The incident occurred at George's Handlebar Restaurant on Route 25A in Mount Sinai, not far from the Davi home.

Multiple calls to the Gongas home were not returned. John Davi could not be reached and Michell Davi declined to comment on the matter since it is in the hands of Spota's office. She said, however, "I remain totally committed to my duties as a trustee."

According to the court records, at the time of Gongas' arraignment a temporary order of protection was issued ordering Gongas to stay away from John Davi and his home, business, school or place of employment. The order is effective for one year from its date of issue, August 12.

The criminal complaint states that the Davis, family and friends had gone to the restaurant to celebrate Michell's election. Much later, after the rest of the party had left, John Davi was speaking with Gongas at the bar of the restaurant and, following a conversation with him and one other man, a disagreement ensued. According to Davi, Gongas "grabbed my face." The bartender reportedly asked all three men to leave.

Davi reported that he was leaving when Gongas lunged towards him and began choking him. Davi said in his complaint that he did not fight back and immediately called the police. According to his statement, Gongas told the police that Davi had attempted to strike him first.

Davi reported that he walked home but, when in pain and unable to sleep several hours later, had his brother bring him to Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson. There he was diagnosed with "a cervical strain as a result of being choked," according to his statement.

Comsewogue school board President Eric Mas, who was also at the restaurant that night but had left earlier, said, "As of right now it has not hindered the board's work." He added that since the incident, Gongas and Michell Davi have been "overly nice to each other" during board meetings. Several have been held since the event occurred.

2 comments:

  1. Wow! Am I glad I fond this site.....I can't tell you how much I hate this guy. He is a thief among other things. I don't even know where to begin.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mike you are a piece of shit you should be fired from North babylon school.

    ReplyDelete