Funeral Director Involved in Fistfight With Del. Official

A funeral director who police say was involved in a restaurant fistfight with a Delaware official says he was the victim - not the aggressor.

Charles “Carl” Arcaro tells the News Journal of Wilmington that David Grimaldi, chief administrative officer of New Castle County, punched him in the face during last Saturday's fight.

“He punched me in the face several times before I bit him,” said Charles “Carl” Arcaro, a 36-year-old Wilmington funeral director told the Journal.

Grimaldi and Wilmington police have said Arcaro started the fight at the Wilmington restaurant and that Grimaldi, who was bitten on the hand, was being considered the victim.

Grimaldi declined to press charges.

After the fight, Grimaldi called New Castle County Police Chief Elmer Setting, who responded to the scene even though Wilmington police had jurisdiction. Grimaldi tells The News Journal that he called Setting for advice and that the chief did not exercise any influence.
 
“I just want the whole thing to go away,” Arcaro said. “I’m a little guy, a nobody. I have no chances of winning against a political bigshot.”