Anthony Cumia, former co-host of the “Opie and Anthony” radio show, was charged Saturday in Long Island with strangulation, assault, criminal mischief and unlawful imprisonment.
Mr. Cumia, who was fired by Sirius XM last year over what the company called “racially-charged and hate-filled” tweets, was arrested about 11 a.m. at his home in Roslyn Heights after an altercation with a 26-year-old victim, described by some news reports as his girlfriend, CBS News reported.
A police spokeswoman told Newsday that Mr. Cumia “got into an argument with an individual that stemmed into this physical violence. That’s as far as we’re going to discuss this at this time.”
Ms. Cumia, 54, “stomped” on his girlfriend’s hand, strangled her and pinned her against a wall after an argument, prosecutors said.
The victim, going by the name Dani Golightly, posted a Periscope video from inside the house, CBS reported.
“I got my hand broken. I’m waiting for the police to come,” she says in the video. “Oh my God, don’t hit me again! Stay away from me!”
Mr. Cumia’s lawyer, Alan Schwartz, said the radio host entered a not-guilty plea Sunday morning and was released without bail. He is due back in court next month, CBS reported.
“Mr. Cumia emphatically denies the allegations brought against him, and is optimistic that when the truth comes out, he will be exonerated,” Mr. Schwartz said. “Simply put, things are not always what they appear to be, and this case is a perfect example of that.”
Mr. Cumia currently hosts “The Anthony Cumia Show” online.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.