Former Town of Islip Employees Plead Guilty to Charges in Connection to Illegal Dumping

A former Islip Town Parks Commissioner and his ex-secretary have both pleaded guilty to charges in connection to the illegal dumping of toxic materials at a Brentwood park.

Former Commissioner, Joseph Montouri Jr., 61, of East Islip, and his former employee Brett A. Robinson, 30, of Lindenhurst, were both among the six charged with illegal dumping construction debris at Roberto Clemente Town Park in 2014, according to the DA.

During the eight-month investigation, dangerous toxins, including Colbalt, Dieldrin and Asbestos,were found at the park.

In addition, the materials were also found at a site at the corner of Route 111 and Sage Street in Central Islip, in a state-protected wetlands area on the Islip-Babylon town border at 175 Brook Avenue in Deer Park, and in material dumped as fill to elevate a berm at an affordable housing development for military veterans in Islandia, the DA said.

The two were each charged in 2014 with conspiracy, two counts of official misconduct, three charges of reckless release of an acutely hazardous substance into the environment (for the dumping of material containing Cobalt on the soccer field and recharge basin, and Dieldrin, a banned pesticide on the soccer field), two counts of endangering in the third degree for the reckless release of more than 2,000 pounds of a hazardous substance at Clemente, endangering in the fourth degree for the reckless release of a hazardous substance (for Asbestos dumped onto the soccer field and the recharge basin), and one count of operating an illegal solid waste management facility that causes the release of more than 70 cubic yards of solid waste into the environment (specifically onto the soccer field and recharge basin).

On Wednesday, Montuori plead guilty to one felony count of endangering the health, safety or environment and one count of conspiracy while Robinson plead guilty to a violation of disorderly conduct, Newsday reports.

In addition, Judge Fernando Camacho ordered the two to help out in the reconstruction of the park for a reduced sentence, according to FiOs1.

They are due back in court on October 13.