The son of former talk show host Geraldo Rivera took a plea deal Wednesday in Manhattan court, dodging jail time for allegedly choking and biting his ex-girlfriend during two separate spats inside his apartment.
Cruz Rivera, 30, copped to attempted assault and disorderly conduct as part of a re-pleader agreement with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
“Did you, with intent to cause physical injury to Meghan Burke, cause such physical injury to her by biting her and pushing her to the floor and also acting in a manner that was disorderly? Did you attempt to do that?” asked Judge Phyllis Chu.
“Yes,” he replied, wearing a brown button-down shirt and beige khakis.
The Fox News commentator’s son must complete a domestic batters’ program and stay away from his ex.
If he complies, in one year only the disorderly conduct charge — which is not categorized as a crime — will remain on his record.
Assistant District Attorney Veronika Alayeva warned that “any violation of the re-pleader will result in a six-month jail recommendation.”
On April 28, Rivera allegedly choked Burke inside his West 175th Street pad during an argument, court papers allege.
A few days later, the two got into a brawl in the same apartment, and he allegedly put her in a chokehold then chomped on her hand and leg when she tried to wriggle free, according to prosecutors.
Defense lawyer Arthur Aidala said, “Mr. Rivera is pleased to put this behind him and move on with his otherwise successful life.”