Modern Apostates

Bishop pleads innocent to assault charge
By MARLA A. GOLDBERG

SPRINGFIELD – Timothy B. Baymon, Springfield bishop of the International Communion of the Holy Orthodox Christian Church, pleaded innocent this morning to the beating of a recently deposed bishop, Edward Chomba, on Jan. 1. Baymon, 39, of 57 Thompson St., Springfield, along with Christopher Bolden, 39, of 259 Central St., Springfield, were arraigned in Springfield District Court before Judge William J. Boyle, where they pleaded innocent to assault and battery. They were released on personal recognizance, amid orders to stay away from Chomba, 37, of 122 Chestnut St.

Bolden is Baymon’s brother-in-law, according to a criminal complaint application filed by Chomba. Chomba stated that on Jan. 1 at about 2 p.m., he was driving up State Street when Baymon drove beside him and motioned him to pull over. Baymon told him to get out of the car, called him a liar, and accused him of brainwashing another man. Baymon shouted obscenities and accused Chomba of practicing witchcraft on him, in an effort to take away the church’s building at 143-147 State St., formerly known as the Civic Tower, Chomba stated.
Baymon then removed his clerical collar and crucifix, and punched Chomba in the chest and kicked him, according to the application. Baymon then made a call, after which Bolden, Bolden’s wife Linda, and Baymon’s wife Sara, along with another man arrived in a car and began to “verbally assault” Chomba. Chomba stated that Bolden punched him in the face three times, causing bruises and a laceration.

Baymon’s lawyer, Steven L. Winniman, said there were four witnesses to the fight, and “all of them say he (Baymon) didn’t do anything.” Pre-trial conferences for Baymon and Bolden are set for March 21.

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Winniman, a real estate lawyer who has a long history with Baymon, has since been prevented from practicing law for some unknown reason, so Baymon, at a recent court appearance was told to find a new lawyer and get ready for trial in January 2007.

Also of note is Baymon's long time business association with Pasquale (Pat) Romeo presently serving time after being convicted of fraud in a house flipping scheme. Read more here .

And of course one of Baymon’s own clergy was convicted of fraud in a land flipping scheme. The only person who showed up a the sentencing was Baymon, who most likely did so to gloat or to make sure his own name was not mentioned.

We can only wonder how long it will be before His Beatitude face the very same fate as his friends.
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Now that you know who he is you're still probably wondering why a man dressed as an Eastern Orthodox Bishop is wearing a wedding crown. The truth is WE ARE WONDERING TOO! We can only guess that he could not afford a real bishop's mitre which average about $1,500.00 and decided to go with the $35.00 wedding crown. Afterall, who will know the difference?

# posted by Modern Apostates @ 9:24 AM