Revere Casino Debate Turns Physical

The debate over a Boston-area casino has turned physical, with an anti-casino activist charged with punching a casino supporter in the face and breaking his nose.

The alleged assault occurred Saturday in Revere during a pro-casino rally.

Police tell the Boston Herald that casino foe Charles Lightbody punched supporter Louis Ciarlone. Ciarlone is the head of the union that represents pari-mutuel clerks at Suffolk Downs horse track on the Boston-Revere line, which is in the running for a casino.

The 60-year-old Ciarlone said in a statement his nose was broken.

Lightbody's lawyer says it was self-defense after his 59-year-old client was struck in the face by a placard carried by casino supporters.

Lightbody, a Revere business owner and landlord, says he's concerned a casino will bring down property values.