TicketNetwork CEO allegedly hurls racial insult at Oscars party

HARTFORD -- A Glastonbury man faces a hate crime charge after he allegedly hurled racist insults at a security guard during an Oscars party.

Donald Vaccaro, 49, of Clark Hill Road, the CEO of TicketNetwork, was charged with second-degree hate crime, second-degree threatening, breach of peace, first-degree criminal trespass and interfering with police, police said.

According to police, officers were called to Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St., about 12:10 a.m. Monday for an assault complaint. When they arrived, they were told that a man identified by police as Vaccaro had grabbed onto a woman and wouldn't let go, police said.

A security guard intervened, police said, and had to pry Vaccaro's hand off the woman's hand. Vaccaro appeared drunk, they said.
The guard started to escort Vaccaro out when Vaccaro repeatedly cursed at the guard, calling him a "black mother- 1/8expletive 3/8," police said.

Vaccaro also said he has something for the guard and that someone would "kick his 1/8expletive 3/8." He started making a cell phone call and then assumed a fighting stance, police said.

Vaccaro also refused to provide information for an arrest report, they said.

In July, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy named TicketNetwork as one of his "First Five" companies, offering $6.3 million in low-interest loans after the company promised to add at least 200 jobs.