Gregory Hoag. Courtesy photo

A partner with a St. Petersburg law firm presently serving as the president of the city's bar association was placed under arrest on Monday.

According to online records with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Gregory Hoag was booked into custody at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Monday by St. Petersburg police for a domestic battery offense. He subsequently left on his own recognizance at 3:38 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Tampa Bay Times reported Tuesday the attorney was brought into custody in connection with a physical dispute between Hoag and his wife on Saturday. The Masterson, Hoag & Smith partner purportedly caused minor injuries on his wive's right arm and was said to have “grabbed the victim by the neck with his hands causing no visible injuries and not restricting airflow” in the arrest report. Police officers were called to the home around 8:30 p.m. on the night of the incident, and Hoag was arrested by law enforcement officers later on, as he left the house following the violent encounter.

County records show Hoag was previously arrested in May 2009 for committing a misdemeanor traffic violation. Court records also show the lawyer was previously in court on battery charges in 2001 in addition to accumulating several traffic infractions. Hoag's previous battery case was dismissed following the completion of a family violence program.

Requests for comment from Hoag and his firm partners, Thomas Masterson and Weston Smith, were not immediately returned. A statement from the St. Petersburg Bar Association said the organization “supports the rule of law and abhors all forms of violence.”

“We also support the due process rights afforded all citizens under law,” the statement continued. “Our leadership has only seen local media accounts of the arrest and not communicated with Greg regarding these events. The SPBA will accord deference to [the] ultimate decision of the courts. We wish Greg and his family the best during this very difficult time.”

The online biography available on the Masterson Hoag website says Hoag was born in Manhasset, New York, and litigates medical malpractice, legal malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death claims. The attorney was admitted to the Florida Bar in April 2003 after earning his law degree from the  Stetson University College of Law.

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