Rice probes video of ex-Ciotti volunteer

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice is investigating the actions of a former volunteer in Nassau Legis. John Ciotti's campaign.

The volunteer was videotaped 11 days ago in front of the Elmont headquarters of Ciotti's Democratic opponent, Carrié Solages, having an altercation with Solages' sister.

After the altercation, the worker, who is white, is seen in the video saying to another campaign volunteer, "Don't worry, we're gonna put them on the back of the bus where they belong."

Solages, the son of Haitian immigrants, is black. The Elmont resident is running for Ciotti's seat in the 3rd Legislative District.

Ciotti (R-North Valley Stream) condemned the behavior of the volunteer, whom he identified as Vincent M. Prisco, 38, of Valley Stream.

"This individual has never had any formal role in my campaigns," said Ciotti. "He's unpaid, as are all of them. We have over 300 volunteers from all nationalities, religions and creeds. He or anyone who thinks like him will never stuff an envelope or lick another stamp for me."

Rice called the video "offensive and disturbing."

"My office has received a complaint," she said, "and we are investigating to determine if any of Mr. Prisco's actions were criminal."

Ciotti also told News 12 Long Island the video "sickened me. It's an embarrassment. That individual is gone from my campaign -- gone. I represent one of the most diverse districts on all of Long Island. . . . This will not be tolerated."

Prisco could not be reached for comment.

Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs called the Oct. 8 exchange "harassment tinged with racism." Jacobs said: "We've come long and far in this country to get past that kind of behavior. We certainly shouldn't be seeing it in Nassau County."

Candidate Solages has yet to comment on the exchange, which started when Prisco and another unidentified man put up Ciotti campaign signs on a chain-link fence next to Solages' campaign headquarters.

Solages' sister, Michaelle, a campaign volunteer, intervened, challenging Prisco's authority to post the signs on the fence and recording the exchange.

With Dan Janison

and Ann Givens