New York | Public Relations

State lawmaker on defensive after incident at Seneca casino

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

After going to the media about an incident at a Seneca Nation casino, New York Sen. Mark Grisanti (R) is on the defensive over his role in what he said he was a fight between tribal members.

Ross L. John Sr., a former council member, provided The Buffalo News with a cellphone video that shows Grisanti being held back by security guards at the Seneca Niagara Casino. The newspaper removed the audio from the footage "due to swearing" but John said he heard the Republican use racial epithets.

"I was maybe 15 feet away. I heard it," John told the paper. "[Grisanti] yelled, 'Don't you know who the [expletive] I am, you [expletive]?"

The cellphone video shows at least one African-American security guard holding back Grisanti. The lawmaker denies using any racial language.

"I don't recall saying any racist word. That's not in my nature," Grisanti told the paper.

Meanwhile, another witness came forward and said Grisanti punched her husband after she tried to escort him out of the casino. Kristina White said Grisanti was the aggressor and not the other way around.

The Buffalo News said John's video shows Eric White, whose knee was somehow injured, on the casino floor. Moments later, Grisanti is shown being pushed away from White.

Grisanti has claimed that he and his wife were attacked after he tried to break up a fight between Eric White and Seth Snyder, both of whom are tribal members. But witnesses said the two men were no longer arguing when Grisanti reportedly intervened.

Authorities who are investigating the incident said it's likely there won't be any charges filed against anyone.