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Assault charges dropped against state Rep. Wheatley, fiancée

PITTSBURGH — A judge has agreed to drop simple assault charges against a Pittsburgh politician and his fiancée.

At a hearing Thursday, 40-year-old Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr. apologized to constituents and his family, saying he's embarrassed by his behavior.

Wheatley and his fiancée, 41-year-old Angela Mike, were arrested last week. Wheatley allegedly threw water on Mike and pushed her to the ground, while Mike allegedly hit Wheatley in the knee with keys.

“I could have just totally left the house altogether, but they are choices that I made that put me in that position. I’m going to man up on the choices I made,” Wheatley said. “The biggest thing that’s on my heart are the folks that I represent and the people that have to wake up tomorrow and read about this and see this in the paper. This is unrelated to things we really work for and care about.”

Police said the two were arguing over their young son's child care expenses inside their Hill District home.

The charges against Mike were dismissed Thursday, and Wheatley's will be dismissed in 90 days if he is not arrested again.

“He’s a good man and mistakes have been made. However, we’re on the path to rectifying those mistakes and we’re extremely happy all of the charges will be totally and completely withdrawn,” Wheatley’s defense attorney Blaine Jones said.

Wheatley, a Democrat, represents the 19th Legislative District, which covers the lower North Side, Hill District, Uptown, Beltzhoover, Arlington and South Oakland. He was elected to the state House in 2002.

“With all sincerity, with the deepest regret, I’m apologizing to my constituents and to my family and to Angela,” Wheatley said.