DA: Dominic Barbara pleads guilty, gets conditional discharge
Dominic Barbara is brought out of Nassau police headquarters in Mineola for arraignment Monday, Sept. 30, 2013. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Former celebrity lawyer Dominic Barbara has pleaded guilty to two charges but will not serve any time in jail, officials said.
Barbara, 68, of Williston Park, pleaded guilty Friday before Nassau County District Court Judge Helen Voutsinas to second-degree criminal contempt and disorderly conduct, according to the district attorney's office.
The misdemeanor contempt charge was for making indirect contact with his ex-wife through her former attorney on Sept. 4, 2012, violating a protection order. The disorderly conduct charge, a violation, stemmed from an alleged theft of a pocketbook from a retail store in Manhasset on Feb. 12, 2013.
He also received an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal for a charge of obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanor, based on the alleged choking of his live-in girlfriend on Aug. 26, 2013, officials said.
Barbara was sentenced Friday to a conditional discharge of the charges, which includes required treatment. If he fails to comply with the conditions, he faces up to 1 year in jail, officials said.
"I am just ready to get my life in order," Barbara told Newsday on Saturday. He said he is required to continue seeing a psychiatrist, attend a substance abuse support group and submit weekly blood tests.
He said there are no other pending charges against him. The district attorney's office declined to comment.
Barbara represented a range of infamous clients, including Jessica Hahn and Joey Buttafuoco. He also represented the husband of Diane Schuler, the woman who drove drunk the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway in 2009, killing herself and seven others.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
