Geraldo Rivera’s son copped to a misdemeanor assault charge Wednesday in a domestic spat with his longtime girlfriend.
Cruz Rivera, 30, of Washington Heights appeared briefly in Manhattan Criminal Court, where he admitted to attempted assault and disorderly conduct for choking Meghan Burke, a woman he was with for nine dicey years. If Rivera complies with several conditions, the conviction will be wiped from his record in a year
The Fox News figure’s offspring was charged with choking Burke, 26, of Staten Island, on two occasions but admitted in court to the roughing her up on May 1.
Judge Phyllis Chu asked if he attempted to cause injury to Megan Burke “by biting her and pushing her to the floor.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Rivera said.
He will have to complete a court-assigned batterer’s program, which his attorney believes will be weekly sessions for several months. He must also stay arrest-free for a year and refrain from any contact with Burke in that time. An order of protection was set in her favor.
Chu warned Rivera that he’ll be thrown behind bars if he doesn’t comply.
“If you don’t satisfy these conditions, you’ll get a six-month jail alternative.”
Rivera’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, said the deal will result in a clean slate for his client.
“When all is said and done, I’m 100% confident he’s going to successfully complete the program, he will not have a criminal record, and he’s going back to his job and his successful life without this hanging over his head,” Aidala said.
He added that his client’s famous dad “is extremely troubled by the allegations but simultaneously 100% supports his son.”