Italian Group Slams Local Lawmaker

He hasn't found a severed horse head in his bed, but state Assemblyman Don Wagner came under fire from the National Italian-American Foundation for opposing a redevelopment bill as a "Tony Soprano" shakedown, and then apologizing "to all Italians who are not members of the Mafia and engaged in insurance scams.''

Wagner, a Republican whose district includes Laguna Beach, Lake Forest and portions of Newport Beach and Aliso Viejo, defended his remarks as a sincere apology, but nearly came to blows with Assemblyman Warren Furutani, D-Gardena, over the comment. The exchange was telecast on the California Channel and posted on Youtube.

The video showed other Assembly members physically separating the two on the floor of the Assembly last Wednesday.

The leader of the western branch of the National Italian-American Foundation, Jeffrey M. Carpaccio, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Wagner's comments were "shocking'' and "reinforced a negative generalization about an entire community.''

-- City News Service