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Charges Could Go Away For Former Highmark CEO

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The KDKA Investigators have learned that charges against former Highmark CEO Dr. Ken Melani will be dropped as part of a plea deal made between all parties involved.

As a result, Melani's preliminary hearing on simple assault and trespassing charges scheduled for Wednesday will be postponed.

All parties agree that if Melani agrees to anger management and relationship courses, in a couple of months, all charges will be dropped.

Sources describe the agreement as the best way to dispose of a very touchy situation.

Sources indicate since Melani's arrest March 25, all parties have been in contact and have agreed the very public case should not proceed in public.

As the agreement stands right now, the case will be postponed, Melani agrees to 60 days of anger management and relationship counseling.

If he completes both, at the end of the 60 days, the judge most likely will dismiss all charges.

"This is very, very, common among first time offenders," Phil DiLucente, a defense attorney, said.

He has handled a significant number of cases like this one.

"I did review the complaint and I thought, 'This is the right way to dispose of a case,'" DiLucente said. "And let's face it – if this were anyone else on the streets of Pittsburgh, that's how it would be dealt with. Why should this be handled differently in any other way?"

Melani was arrested in Oakmont and accused of assaulting Mark Myler, the husband of Highmark employee Melissa Myler.

In the criminal complaint, he lashed out about an alleged affair with her. Sources indicate Mark Myler has agreed to the deal and is not interested in any further publicity.

Sources indicate if Melani completes all aspects of the agreement, the arrest and the charges could go away.

A statement from District Attorney Stephen Zappala's office says this is the way many of these cases are disposed of and is in no way special treatment for anyone.

Melani's attorney, Bob Del Greco, said his client has agreed to a 60-day counseling period.

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