Suffolk Legislator-Elect Arrested In Domestic Incident: Police

SELDEN, NY — Suffolk County Legislator-elect Nicholas Caracappa was arrested at his Selden home Tuesday, Suffolk police said.

Caracappa, 53, was charged with first-degree criminal contempt and criminal obstruction of breathing. He was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip.

Thomas Campagna, Caracappa's attorney, told Newsday the charges are related to a dispute with Caracappa’s estranged wife, who Campagna said falsely accused Caracappa of choking her. Campagna said the allegation is "100 percent untrue," Newsday reported.

Caracappa, a Republican, on Nov. 3 defeated Democratic challenger Joseph A. Turdik to win the Suffolk County Fourth Legislative District seat. The position was previously held by Republican Tom Muratore, who died in September.

The fourth district includes the Brookhaven Town portion of Ronkonkoma, as well as Centereach, Coram, Farmingville, Holbrook, Holtsville, Lake Grove, Lake Ronkonkoma, Medford, Port Jefferson Station and Selden.