CEO charged with hate crime seeks probation

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The chief executive officer of TicketNetwork Inc. is seeking a probation program in connection with an alleged hate crime outside an Oscars night party in Hartford two months ago.

Forty-nine-year-old Donald Vaccaro applied for accelerated rehabilitation Tuesday in Hartford Superior Court. The program for nonviolent, first-time offenders allows criminal charges to be dismissed after successful completion of probation.

Hartford police charged Vaccaro with a felony hate crime — intimidation due to bigotry or bias — and four misdemeanors. Authorities say Vaccaro used racial comments to insult a security guard outside Real Art Ways, after the guard confronted him after he allegedly grabbed a woman at the party.

Vaccaro took an indefinite leave from the South Windsor ticket reselling company after his arrest and said the incident didn't reflect his values.