Gatto Angered by Lawmaker's Apology Over 'Sopranos' Comments

The Los Angeles Times referred to it as a "skirmish." The Sacrmento Bee called it a "fight."

Whatever it was, a verbal and physical confrontation happened on the floor of the California State Assembly Wednesday over a lawmaker's reference to the HBO television show The Sopranos.

The choice of words and altercation on the floor caused Assemblyman Mike Gatto, who represents the North Hollywood area and other East Valley communities, to issue a statement.

The trouble began when Assemblyman Don Wagner (R-Irvine) suggested the budget bill being debated was similar to a shakedown scheme on The Sopranos, which was a show about the Italian American mafia in New Jersey. Click on the attached video to see the entire ordeal.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-La Cañada Flintridge, stood up and demanded that Wagner "apologize to Italian Americans in California." Portantino also identified himself as a "proud Italian American."

Wagner then went back to the mic and apologized to all Italian Americans who are "not in the Mafia and not involved in insurance fraud."

Within minutes, Assemblyman Warren Furutani and Wagner were in a heated argument that had to be broken up by three other lawmakers, according to the Sacamento Bee, which also reported Furutani appeared to shove Wagner. It is not clear in the video if any shoving took place.

Gatto, who is an Italian American, issued the following statement:

“I was not offended by Mr. Wagner’s reference to The Sopranos, which is just a TV show. However, I was angry at the wording of his so-called apology. His statement implied that there is only a small subset of Italian-Americans who are ‘not in the Mafia and not involved in insurance fraud.’ I believe it was an unfortunate choice of words and an unnecessary distraction on a day where we have much graver issues to consider.”

Gatto also told the Sacramento Bee that he and Wagner spoke after the incident.

"He came and talked with me afterward, and he still does not seem to understand why it came out so wrong," Gatto said. "I told him to watch the tape."