A televised graphic depicting Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata as an apparent Mafia leader, pointing a gun skyward, has angered Italian-Americans.
Bill Cerruti, who is chairman of a state Italian-American task force and leader of the Italian-American Cultural Society, blasted the characterization today and demanded an apology.
The graphic, depicting Perata in a purple suit and white tie, was broadcast by Sacramento's KOVR 13 – with anchor Chris Burrous – and on the website of talk-show hosts “John and Ken” of KFI radio in Los Angeles, Cerruti said.
Burrous goes on to blast Perata for suggesting the state raise taxes to help balance the state budget.
The graphic apparently was meant as satire, but Cerruti said he saw nothing funny about portraying one of the state’s leading Italian-American officials as a violent, gangland figure.
“I guess you can find it humorous to humiliate, if that’s your sense of humor,” Cerruti said, adding the graphic simply perpetuates the stereotype of Italian-Americans as Mafia figures.
“It makes you wonder who’s next – Nancy Pelosi?” Cerruti said. “Where do they stop with this? Where are the boundaries?"
Perata's office and KOVR 13 declined comment Wednesday.
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