TicketNetwork CEO Charged Over Party Arrest

The chief executive of online ticket exchange TicketNetwork Inc. faces a hate crime charge after police say he hurled a racial insult at an Oscar party in Connecticut.

Donald Vaccaro of Glastonbury was charged early Feb. 27 with a hate crime, threatening, breach of peace, criminal trespass and interfering with police.

Hartford police say officers were called to a party for an assault complaint. The 49-year-old Vaccaro called police and showed the officer a scratch and some blood and claimed a bouncer assaulted him. Police say the officer smelled alcohol on his breath.

The police report says the bouncer told police Vaccaro grabbed a woman, and insulted the bouncer with a racial comment.

In a statement, Vaccaro said his approach to life and work are inclusive and the reported comments do not reflect his values.