BU professor placed on probation after admitting domestic dispute, restraining order violations

By Peter Schworm and Martin Finucane, Globe Staff

A Boston University professor has been placed on 18 months of probation after admitting to being involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend and two restraining order violations involving his ex-wife.

BU Professor Pedro Lasarte’s booking photo

Pedro Lasarte, a Romance languages professor who has taught at the university for 25 years, has “learned from his mistakes,” said his defense attorney, Ryan Caselden.

A judge ordered Lasarte to stop drinking, to submit to drug and alcohol screenings, and to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

If Lasarte stays trouble-free during the probation, the case will be dismissed.

Caselden said the 65-year-old professor had gone through a difficult breakup with a girlfriend about a year ago and that “prompted a downward spiral.”

Lasarte acknowledged violating restraining orders in September and October that were taken out by his former wife.

In the most recent incident, on Feb. 10, Lasarte was arrested at a home on Moulton Road in Arlington after he allegedly scratched his girlfriend’s arm with a key and bumped her in the rib cage with brass knuckles.

He allegedly told the woman, “I know where to hit you with these where there won’t be a mark,” according to an Arlington police report.

He was charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon. Those charges were continued without a finding while he is on probation.