BREAKING: Queens NY GOP Chairman Identified as Violent Assailant of Woman at Milwaukee RNC
Exclusive video shows Queens GOP Chair Anthony Nunziato assaulting journalist Cara Castronuova at Milwaukee RNC. Police unaware, GOP silent.
By Dick LaFontaine, Rick LaRivière, Frankie Pressman and Richard Luthmann
MILWAUKEE – An exclusive, full-length video obtained by our investigative team reveals a disturbing incident outside the Baird Center during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee. The footage clearly identifies Anthony Nunziato, Chairman of the Queens, New York Republican Party, committing an apparent assault on journalist Cara Castronuova.
On the night of July 18, after former President Donald Trump concluded his speech with a call for unity, delegates and attendees began filing out of the Baird Center. At approximately 11:15 PM CDT, the video captures Nunziato striking Castronuova’s wrist. The legal assault and battery caused her phone to fall to the ground.
“I was assaulted by Anthony Nunziato, the Chairman of the Queens, NY Republican Party. He struck my wrist and knocked my phone out of my hand as I was recording. I have a recording of the incident. My wrist is injured. There were witnesses present. I would like to follow a police report, as I am fearful if there are no repercussions, he will feel it is okay to physically assault me again,” Castronuova said.
Incident Details and Video Evidence
The video shows the delegate, identified by multiple sources as Nunziato, confronting Castronuova aggressively. Witnesses described Nunziato as visibly intoxicated and belligerent.
One witness asked to remain anonymous, stating, "He was shouting something about the election and looked really angry. It was scary."
Another attendee noted, "It was shocking to see such behavior right after a speech calling for unity and peace."
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Drunk RNC Delegate Misses 'Unity' Message; Commits Apparent Assault and Battery on Female Onlooker in Milwaukee
The video depicts Nunziato's aggressive actions, contradicting the RNC’s message of unity and decorum. Investigative journalist Dick LaFontaine reached out to the department shortly after the incident, seeking confirmation and further information.
Correspondence with the Milwaukee Police Department
In an email sent on July 20, Dick LaFontaine wrote:
From: Dick LaFontaine, Investigative Journalist <RALafontaine@protonmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2024 10:57 PM
To: mpdnews <mpdnews@milwaukee.gov>
Cc: RickLaRiviere@proton.me <RickLaRiviere@proton.me>; frankiepressman@protonmail.com <frankiepressman@protonmail.com>; Richard Luthmann <richard.luthmann@protonmail.com>
Subject: Report of Violence Against Women Incident on July 18 at approximately 11:15pm CDT outside the Baird CenterDear Sir or Madam:
We are journalists following up on an assault and battery by an apparently intoxicated male person whom sources tell us was a Delegate to the Republican National Convention this past week.After the Republican Presidential Nominee, former President Donald Trump concluded his speech on July 18 and RNC Delegates and attendees began filing out of the Baird Center at approximately 11:15pm CDT. Apparently this person did not get President's Trump's message of "unity."
We received the attached video where the individual struck a female bystander in her wrist, causing her cell phone to tumble to the ground. We understand there is more video, but this is all that has been released at this time.
Those witnesses we spoke to said the individual appeared intoxicated, our investigation reveals that alcohol was not being served late into the night at the Baird Center. Can you confirm?
We did not see any report of this incident in the public logs disclosed by the department. Is there any report of this incident?Did the Milwaukee PD receive a report? Is there an ongoing investigation?
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Dick LaFontaine
Investigative Journalist
The Milwaukee Police Department's initial response on July 23 indicated unawareness of the incident, stating:
On 7/23/24 5:11 PM, mpdnews wrote:
I am unaware of this incident. Do you know who the parties involved are, so I can research the incident?
Investigative Reporter Richard Luthmann responded to the Milwaukee Police, reporting that Queens GOP Leader Anthony Nunziato had been independently corroborated as the assailant in the video.
Luthmann further reported to the Milwaukee PD that our investigative team reached out to Anthony Nunziato and the New York State GOP for comments on the incident. Rick LaRivière sent an email on July 23, seeking a response from Nunziato and the GOP leadership. This outlet asked the following questions:
Do you deny that it is you who apparently struck a woman holding a camera after Donald Trump's speech on Thursday night at the Milwaukee RNC?
Do you know the woman holding the camera? Do you have a history with her?
Do you deny being intoxicated?
Does the NYS GOP and Chairman Ed Cox condone this type of behavior from its leaders and RNC Delegates?
The correspondence is below:
From: Richard Luthmann <richard.luthmann@protonmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 5:10 PM
To: mpdnews <mpdnews@milwaukee.gov>; RALafontaine <RALafontaine@protonmail.com>
Cc: RickLaRiviere@proton.me <RickLaRiviere@proton.me>; frankiepressman@protonmail.com <frankiepressman@protonmail.com>; Richard A Luthmann <richard.luthmann@protonmail.com>
Subject: Re: Report of Violence Against Women Incident on July 18 at approximately 11:15pm CDT outside the Baird CenterGood afternoon,
Feel free to investigate.
We have identified the person in the video as Anthony Nunziato, GOP Delegate and Chairman if the Queens, New York Republican Party.
Rick LaRivière (copied) is also working the story. Below is an email from to Nunziato and the NYS GOP asking for comment about a story we have been working on:
https://luthmann.substack.com/p/exclusive-video-drunk-rnc-delegate
Nunziato is the individual in the video. Sources have confirmed it, as well as the fact that the woman recording the video was struck on the wrist and phone, in what constitutes a legal assault. We believe the person who was taping the video was Cara Castronuova, a former US Senate Candidate who still has a court case fighting for a write-in candidacy:
https://luthmann.substack.com/p/breaking-ny-gop-nominee-for-us-senate
------- Forwarded Message -------
From: Rick LaRivière <RickLaRiviere@proton.me>
Date: On Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 at 1:34 PM
Subject: Queens GOP Leader Anthony Nunziato - Violence Against Women at RNC-Milwaukee
To: anthonynunziato30ad@gmail.com <anthonynunziato30ad@gmail.com>, FRONTDESK@NYGOP.ORG <FRONTDESK@NYGOP.ORG>
CC: RALafontaine@protonmail.com <RALafontaine@protonmail.com>, mthomasnast@protonmail.com <mthomasnast@protonmail.com>, richard.luthmann@protonmail.com <richard.luthmann@protonmail.com>Mr. Nunziato,
We are investigative reporters. We are following up on this story from our outlet:
We received the attached video.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16ToupHx4jR8VtOGudCpbJjJV_BlWHTMK/view?usp=drive_link
You are the Queens County GOP Leader and were a delegate in attendance at the Milwaukee RNC last week.
Do you deny that it is you who apparently struck a woman holding a camera after Donald Trump's speech on Thursday night at the Milwaukee RNC?
Do you know the woman holding the camera? Do you have a history with her? Sources say you struck her on the wrist and made contact with her phone.
Do you deny being intoxicated?
Does the NYS GOP and Chairman Ed Cox condone this type of behavior from its leaders and RNC Delegates?
Do you have any comment?
Thanks,
Rick LaRivière
---------Regards,
Richard Luthmann
Writer, Journalist, and Commentator
Neither Nunziato nor the New York State GOP responded to Rick LaRivière’s questions and request for comment as of press time.
On Tuesday evening, Milwaukee PD responded, saying, “I am unable to find any information regarding”:
From: mpdnews <mpdnews@milwaukee.gov>
Date: On Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 at 6:21 PM
Subject: Re: Report of Violence Against Women Incident on July 18 at approximately 11:15pm CDT outside the Baird Center
To: Richard Luthmann <richard.luthmann@protonmail.com>, RALafontaine <RALafontaine@protonmail.com>
CC: RickLaRiviere@proton.me <RickLaRiviere@proton.me>, frankiepressman@protonmail.com <frankiepressman@protonmail.com>Richard,
I am unable to find any information regarding.
Luthmann sent a confirmation email clarifying that no report had been made:
From: Richard Luthmann <richard.luthmann@protonmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2024 6:50 PM
To: mpdnews <mpdnews@milwaukee.gov>; RALafontaine <RALafontaine@protonmail.com>
Cc: RickLaRiviere@proton.me <RickLaRiviere@proton.me>; frankiepressman@protonmail.com <frankiepressman@protonmail.com>
Subject: Re: Report of Violence Against Women Incident on July 18 at approximately 11:15pm CDT outside the Baird CenterSo, to confirm, no report has been made?
Regards,
Richard Luthmann
Writer, Journalist, and Commentator
On Wednesday morning, the Milwaukee PD confirmed, “We were not able to find a report.”
From: mpdnews <mpdnews@milwaukee.gov>
Date: On Wednesday, July 24th, 2024 at 7:09 AM
Subject: Re: Report of Violence Against Women Incident on July 18 at approximately 11:15pm CDT outside the Baird Center
To: Richard Luthmann <richard.luthmann@protonmail.com>, RALafontaine <RALafontaine@protonmail.com>
CC: RickLaRiviere@proton.me <RickLaRiviere@proton.me>, frankiepressman@protonmail.com <frankiepressman@protonmail.com>We were not able to find a report.
Cara Castronuova Reported the Assault and Battery to Milwaukee PD on Tuesday, July 23
Minutes before emailing investigative reporter Richard Luthmann on Tuesday evening, the Milwaukee PD corresponded with Cara Castronuova, journalist, fitness celebrity, J6 justice advocate, and embattled Republican U.S. Senate Candidate from New York.
Republican US Senate Candidate Cara Castronuova's Battle for Ballot Access in New York
The Milwaukee PD responded to Luthmann’s request for information, saying, “I am unable to find any information regarding.”
It appears the statement by the Milwaukee PD is untrue. The Milwaukee PD specifically said minutes earlier:
On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 5:09 PM, mpdnews <mpdnews@milwaukee.gov> wrote:
Cara,
You will have to go to your local police station to file a report.
From: Cara Castronuova <caracastronuova@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2024 4:13 PM
To: mpdnews <mpdnews@milwaukee.gov>
Subject: assault reportI was assaulted by Anthony Nunziato, the Chairman the Queens, NY Republican Party. He struck my wrist and knocked my phone out of my hand as I was recording. I have a recording of the incident. My wrist is injured. There were witnesses present. I would like to follow a police report, as I am fearful if there are no repercussions he will feel it is okay to physically assault me again.
CARA CASTRONUOVA
Television Personality and Fitness Professional
http://www.caracastronuova.comThe City of Milwaukee is subject to Wisconsin Statutes related to public records. Unless otherwise exempted from the public records law, senders and receivers of City of Milwaukee e-mail should presume that e-mail is subject to release upon request, and is subject to state records retention requirements.
The Milwaukee PD had responded to Castronuova’s report of Nunziato’s assault and battery just minutes before.
This outlet obtained Castronuova’s email, and it is a public record available upon request from the Milwaukee PD.
Continuing Investigation
As this investigation continues, the focus remains on Nunziato's actions and their implications for the Republican Party in New York and Nationally. Neither Nunziato nor the New York State GOP has commented on the incident.
This publication continues to seek responses from Nunziato, the Queens County GOP, the New York State GOP, and their leader, Ed Cox, regarding their stance on the behavior exhibited by one of their prominent members.
Serious Questions Raised
The assault captured on video outside the RNC Convention raises critical questions about the commitment to unity and respect within the Republican Party. Are Queens GOP Chairman Nunziato’s actions a single, isolated incident? Or are they indicative of a pattern of more troubling, further-reaching behavior? For now, the incident stands as a worrisome example of the gap between political rhetoric and the actions of those within the political arena.
As the investigation proceeds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing political parties in maintaining decorum among their members.
This outlet will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Do some digging. The guy that assaulted her is the very person that challenged her petition to run for US Senate in New York. He knew exactly who he was assaulting.
https://www.silive.com/crime-safety/2021/08/trial-by-combat-lawyer-richard-luthmann-released-from-federal-custody.html