Maryland delegate loses leadership post over for racial slur
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland’s House speaker has removed a white lawmaker from a leadership position for using a racial slur for black people.
House Speaker Michael Busch announced Tuesday he has removed Del. Mary Ann Lisanti as chair of a subcommittee. Lisanti, a Democrat, told reporters she would issue a statement later in the day.
She apologized to the House Democratic Caucus Tuesday morning, after apologizing to leaders of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus on Monday. The speaker says Lisanti also has agreed to take sensitivity training.
The Washington Post reported Monday that Lisanti allegedly used the slur to refer to Prince George’s County during an after-hours gathering at an Annapolis cigar bar. She told the Post earlier this month that she didn’t recall using the slur, but was “sure everyone has used it.”