Senator Attacked During Fundraiser at Casino
During a fundraiser at a western New York casino a state senator and his wife were attacked and beaten while the two tried to break up a fight.
Mark Grisanti told reporters that he came upon two men who he thought were about to engage in a physical altercation.
The two men, thought to be Seneca Nation businessmen, then turned their attention to the person trying to intervene.
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Grisanti told the pair: "Hey guys, calm down. This is a nice event. Relax, cool down," according to the New York Post.
One of the men asked to know his name. When he told the pair who he was one of the individuals allegedly said, "you hate the Indians," and then punched him in the stomach.
Grisanti suffered bruised ribs as a result of the altercation. His wife was also involved in the incident and suffered a concussion.
"It's just been horrible," Grisanti's wife told reporters after coming home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. She said that she feared for her life during the attack.
She said she was forced to the ground and then hit and kicked while one of the women who was with the men pulled her hair and repeatedly slammed her head on the floor.
The fight happened following a fundraiser for the Seneca Diabetes Foundation at the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel.
Niagara Falls police confirmed that there had been an incident at the casino, but could not immediately release any additional information.
Grisanti said the man who attacked him left the hotel without being arrested. Police stated that security camera footage of the altercation was 'inconclusive'.
The tribe owns the casino where the fight took place and Grisanti's western New York district includes Niagara Falls.
Grisanti said that he did not hold the tribe responsible. "We've always had a great relationship…It was just a very strange night," he said.
