Sheriff’s Office probes beating

FONDA - Montgomery County sheriff's deputies are investigating an assault that took place outside the Fonda Fairgrounds on Friday night. A man reported being beaten outside the fairgrounds during a fundraiser for the Fultonville Volunteer Fire Department.

Sprakers resident Timothy Tambasco told The Leader-Herald he was waiting for a ride outside the fairgrounds at about 9:30 p.m. Friday when he saw a "flash of light and lightning in my head." He said he woke up in an ambulance in a pool of his own blood.

Tambasco said he broke his nose and orbital bone and received stitches over his eye. He said he has not been able to work at his job as a heavy-equipment operator with the Gorman Group in the town of Florida.

"They haven't made any arrests yet, but somebody's in big trouble," Tambasco said.

Montgomery County Undersheriff Jeffery Smith confirmed the Sheriff's Office is investigating an assault.

"It's being investigated thoroughly," Smith said. "And when the investigation is complete, we will file the appropriate charges."

He said the department has interviewed about six of the 12 people it needs to question in the investigation.

Tambasco said witnesses told him he was assaulted by off-duty law enforcement officers.

Montgomery County District Attorney James "Jed" Conboy said although the investigation is incomplete, interviews have indicated that the victim "is mistaken" about who attacked him.