Elmira City Councilman Nick Grasso has been charged with harassment in connection with a domestic incident last month.
Grasso, who represents the first district, was charged with Second Degree Harassment following an incident on July 30th.
According to Elmira Police, Grasso is accused of grabbing the victim’s wrist and the back of her neck. He also allegedly picked the victim off the ground and slammed her to the floor.
Grasso is currently running for Elmira City Mayor. His campaign issued the following statement on Facebook:
“I want to be straightforward with the people I represent about the reporting this week.
What was actually filed is a charge of harassment in the second degree. Under New York law that is a violation, not a crime, and not a misdemeanor. No assault charge was filed against me. The word ‘assault’ in the coverage is the outlet’s description of an allegation, not a charge on any document.
The allegations described in that filing are false, and I intend to answer them in court, which is the only place they should be answered. I was the person who called the police to my home on July 30th, and I was in contact with my attorney throughout.
Beyond that, this is a private family matter with children involved, and I’m not going to argue it on Facebook. I’ll be in court on August 21st and I expect to be cleared.”
Grasso is scheduled to appear in Elmira City Court on Friday, Aug. 21.
