MIDDLETOWN — A Superior Court judge on Monday approved Michael Finkelstein’s application to enter a domestic violence diversion program, paving the way for the East Lyme police chief to be cleared of criminal charges.
Judge Elizabeth Leeming ruled that Finkelstein’s case presented “precise facts” to qualify him for the Domestic Violence Education Program, a diversion program aimed at reducing future incidents of domestic violence through multiple “psychological education classes.” If Finkelstein completes the one-year program, all charges, including making false statements to police, will likely be dismissed.
In court, attorney John J. Nazzaro argued for Finkelstein to be accepted into a diversion program, but argued that Finkelstein had not been abusive toward his wife or children.
“He’s not an abuser. He’s not a habitual abuser,” Nazzaro said. “We’re hopeful that we can put this behind us.”
After Finkelstein’s arrest in June, the Department of Children and Families investigated and concluded that “no abuse was occurring” at his residence, Nazzaro said, adding that Finkelstein had received treatment at an inpatient facility out of state and was currently receiving private counseling for PTSD.
Nazzaro said Finkelstein is committed to his family and to returning to his duties with the East Lyme Police Department. He said he plans to speak with the town’s attorney about Finkelstein’s return to active duty.
“The chief is still the chief,” Nazzaro told reporters. “We are hoping to have him back as soon as possible.”
According to court records, Finkelstein was first arrested in June on suspicion of disturbing the peace and breaching the peace following an argument with his wife, who claimed he had punched her, but later recanted and told officers the injuries were “accidental.”
State police charged Finkelstein that same month with violating a protective order and making a false statement to police after he turned over only one of his three registered guns: He gave one to a friend without the proper paperwork and left the other in a duffel bag in his garage.
Police are also investigating an incident that occurred in 2023, in which the wife called 911 about the child’s lacerated hands and later told East Lyme police that Finkelstein was abusing her. He wasn’t arrested in that case until June 2024, and it was added to the charges he was facing in the more recent incident with his wife.
Finkelstein was placed on 30-day administrative leave by the East Lyme Police Commission after his June arrest, but City Commissioner Dan Cunningham said Finkelstein’s notice stipulated that he would remain on administrative leave “until further notice.”
In a phone interview with the CT Examiner, Cunningham said the East Lyme Police Department’s actions leading up to Finkelstein’s arrest are “an ongoing investigation.” He said the case was dropped by Connecticut State Police last week and will now be handled by the Daigle Law Firm. Finkelstein remains under investigation along with the three other officers.
East Lyme Police Commission Chairman Dan Price did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
Finkelstein declined to comment Monday and quickly left the courtroom in an old police car, but he appeared upbeat throughout the day, joking and laughing during court breaks.
The next hearing is on September 10th, when the judge will decide whether to modify the protective order against Finkelstein.
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