Ex Westchester DA's Husband Busted Following Argument

The estranged husband of former Westchester County District Attorney turned TV show host Jeanine Pirro is facing charges stemming from a Thursday night argument that say turned physical.

Police were called to the J House, 1114 E. Putnam Ave., Riverside, about 10:20 p.m. June 14 by hotel and restaurant security "that the male identified by his NY license as Albert J. Pirro Jr. was grabbing the female'(s) wrists and vigorously shaking her. That he was also not allowing her to leave the building," according to a Greenwich Police report.

Pirro, 64, was charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree unlawful restraint. He was was arraigned in state Superior Court in Stamford Friday morning. He did not enter a plea and was scheduled to return to court July 17. Records did not indicate whether he has a lawyer.

The victim who was described in court documents as "uncooperative" with the police investigation was issued an order of protection preventing Pirro from threatening, harassing, following or stalking the victim.

Greenwich Police said the victim did not require medical treatment and that she told officers the red marks on her wrists were caused by ezcema.

Pirro, who gave court and police officials two different White Plains addresses and an expired New York state driver's license, did not return a message seeking comment. According to a copy of license, it expired June 21, 2011. One of the addresses he gave officials was for the offices of The Pirro Group, a consulting firm of which he is president and CEO.

According to documents, Pirro was at the J-House with a 45-year-old White Plains woman. An argument broke out between the couple with "the female crying asking to have her vehicle, as she wanted to go home," according to documents. "However, the male continue (sic) to shake the female by the arms as he was saying to her "shut a (expletive) up" let's go. He did not let go of her arms," according to the documents.

At one point Pirro is described by a witness as telling hotel security that "everything is ok and then continued to argue with her she then tried to get out of the bar area he wouldn't let her when he realized I was still there he followed her out." The witness said he called police when he "saw him grab her by the arms and start shaking her and cursing at her."

The argument stemmed from Pirro speaking with two other women at the hotel and the victim "became jealous" and wanted to go home, according to documents. Pirro apparently tried to explain the situation and pleaded with her to stay. Pirro told police "the situation was blown out of proportion."

This isn't the first scrape Pirro has had in public places recently. According to the New York Post, Pirro threatened to kill the staff of a Scarsdale restaurant in March after a guest in his party said his cell phone was missing.

Pirro apparently remains estranged from his wife Jeanine, who as Westchester County's chief prosecutor until 2005. While she was an assistant district attorney, she established the nation's first domestic violence unit in 1978, according to her biography on Fox News Channel where she hosts 'Justice with Judge Jeanine.'

In 1997, Pirro was appointed by then-Governor George Pataki to chair the New York State Commission on Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, whose research helped pass increased protection for domestic violence victims, according to the biography.

The Pirros, who married in 1975, separated in 2007. Albert Pirro served a 17-month federal prison term following his conviction in 2000 on tax evasion. His law license was revoked but reinstated in 2007, according to the New York Times.

Senior Regional Editor Michael Dinan contributed to this story.

Note: The preceding does not indicate a conviction.

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