N.Y. utility critic faces harassment charges

By The Associated Press

10.19.02

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MINEOLA, N.Y. — A store owner was charged with aggravated harassment for sending in his utility bill along with reams of newspaper clippings scrawled with the message, "Stop wasting our money!"

Kip Kohn, 44, pleaded innocent on Oct. 17. The charges carry up to a year in prison.

The company that handles bills for the Long Island Power Authority received the bulky package earlier this month and evacuated its mailroom. A bomb squad and hazardous-materials crew were called in to inspect the parcel.

Kohn, 44, had written "LIPA sucks!" on the envelope. Inside, along with a check, were LIPA newspaper ads scribbled with messages.

Although Kohn has been sending such packages for months, this time the package aroused concerns about a possible anthrax attack, Newsday reported in its Oct. 17 editions.

Kohn said that he sends the packages because he is angry about his monthly electric bills, which average $300 at his shop, Sport Fans, Inc. He said he never intended to harm anyone.

"I might get a little loud; I might get a little heated," he said. "I'm very opinionated on a lot of things. But I never threatened anyone."

Kohn's lawyer Erik Skaalerud told Newsday that Kohn was protected by the First Amendment.

LIPA Chairman Richard Kessel said Kohn had a right to complain and should not be prosecuted.

On Oct. 15, a Nassau County police detective contacted Kohn at his home in Central Islip and told him he faced a charge of misdemeanor aggravated harassment for sending the package.