Michael Lapitino’s Case Disposed Today

This morning a against Wallingford resident Michael Lapitino, the afternoon radio personality for 99.1 WPLR, was dropped in New Haven Superior Court.

Lapitino, 56, explained this afternoon, after his case was nollied, that he and his longtime girlfriend had gotten into a fight on June 9, which led to his arrest by Branford Police.

In what Lapitino calls a “scuffle,” he said he and his girlfriend had a disagreement in his car at 11 Business Park Drive in Branford. Though Lapitino admits he was grabbing at his girlfriend’s purse – she was the passenger in the car – he did not hit her. “There wasn’t any physical hitting,” he said. “It was one of those personal fights that got public.”

On June 10, Lapitino’s girlfriend, whom he no longer lives with but still dates, reported the incident to Branford Police. Lapitino appeared before Branford Police on June 12 with his girlfriend who then asked if the charges could be dropped. Because of the nature of the incident (domestic violence reported by the victim), police were not able to drop the charges.

Lapitino appeared in New Haven Superior Court on July 26; a protective order for the victim was issued and Lapitino’s case was continued until today.

In what he calls an embarrassing experience, Lapitino said he is glad to see that the system works the way it is supposed to. “I was processed the way anyone else should be.”

An advocate of breast cancer awareness and other charities, Lapitino said he “deplores violence toward anyone.” He added, “I have three daughters of my own.”

Having a fiery relationship with his girlfriend, Lapitino said the incident was comparable to any fight you might have with someone that you wouldn’t want anyone to see.

“We both learned something from this,” said Lapitino of the experience. “Cool heads prevail and that’s what you got to think, especially with loved ones. You’ve got to step away from the situation and keep a cool head.”