Pittsburgh-Area Doctor Gets Probation After Attacking Hockey Referee During Rec League Game
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. (AP) — An emergency room physician in western Pennsylvania who attacked a hockey referee during a recreational game has accepted an agreement that will get the charges dropped.
Dr. Jeremy Gilbert, 43, on Thursday agreed to two years' probation and to attend anger management counseling sessions under the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time offenders. The charge of assault on a sports official will be dropped if he completes the program without further incidents.
Gilbert was playing in a recreational league game at Pittsburgh Ice Arena in October when referee Mario de Leon called a holding penalty on him.
Video showed Gilbert pushed de Leon to the ice and punched him, police said.
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De Leon told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review the plea deal was a "slap on the wrist" and the doctor had "never apologized for what he did." Gilbert's lawyer told the newspaper his client has been remorseful from the start.
"This is a gentleman who lives a life of service. He's helped scores of individuals and has a thriving medical practice," said attorney Christopher Thomas.
Gilbert did not speak at the preliminary hearing.
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