Former Local Judge Pleads Guilty to Assaulting His Wife

Former Local Judge Pleads Guilty to Assaulting His Wife

By The Associated Press - September 30, 2009

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A former municipal judge in New Jersey has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, who is a New York City radio personality. Under a plea deal, John Paragano is to receive probation and provide free legal services. Paragano admitted that he assaulted Diane Prior, who works at New York City's 103.5 WKTU-FM, in their Chester Township home in December 2007. Authorities said he pushed her down some stairs. The 43-year-old Paragano, who now lives in Brick, was a municipal judge for a time. He resigned in November 2004 after he was accused of assaulting Prior, who was then his fiancee, trashing their house and driving drunk. The assault charge was dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to drunken driving.