LI Man In Congressman Threat Pleads To Lesser Charge: Report

LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY — A Long Island man charged in the fall with threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and will take anger management training, according to a report in Newsday.

Sixty-four-year-old Lake Ronkonkoma resident Kenneth Gasper was originally charged with second-degree aggravated harassment in November, but admitted to the lesser charge in First District Court in Hempstead Tuesday, Nassau County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Nicole Turso confirmed for the outlet on Friday.

Nassau County police Special Investigations Section Detectives said back in November that Gasper threatened Garbarino with death "over the telephone" related to "a recent congressional vote" that he did not agree with.

Garbarino, a Republican, supported President Joe Biden's infrastructure bill.

The Bayport congressman's spokesperson told News 12 that there were numerous instances of harassment — over the phone and in person at their offices. There were also hate messages posted outside of the congressman's Massapequa Park office, the outlet reported.

Miller Place attorney, John Ray, who is representing Gasper, told Newsday his client was remorseful.

"I think the result is proper," he said. "It's just, given the circumstances of the case."