...And people wonder why I don't voice my opinion in public anymore about this....

Casino advocate allegedly assaulted by rival at rally in Revere

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By Nicholas Jacques, Globe Correspondent

Tensions over a proposed casino in Revere turned to violence at a rally Saturday morning, police and the Suffolk district attorney’s office said.

Charles Lightbody, 53, allegedly punched a rival, Louis Ciarlone, 61, in the face during the rally on Broadway, Revere police said.

Ciarlone, the president and business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 123, said he was holding a pro-casino sign outside the fire station on Broadway when Lightbody allegedly assaulted him.

Lightbody could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

According to Ciarlone, Lightbody said he was upset with criticism Ciarlone had of his campaign against the proposed casino at Suffolk Downs on the Revere-East Boston line before the alleged assault. Ciarlone said Lightbody is the leader of an anti-casino group.

“He struck me twice,” Ciarlone said in an e-mail.

Lightbody was arrested later Saturday and charged with assaulting a person over 60, police said.

Ciarlone, who was treated by EMTs at the fire station, said an X-ray taken at Whidden Hospital in Everett determined his nose had been broken during the confrontation.

Lightbody is expected to be arraigned in Chelsea District Court on Wednesday, a spokesman for the office of Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo signed an agreement with Suffolk Downs in August paving the way for a resort-style casino to be built at the thoroughbred track under the state’s casino gambling law. The proposal must be approved by a referendum in both Revere and East Boston, then it must be selected by the state Gambling Commission for the one Boston-area casino license.

Both communities will vote on the measure on Nov. 5.

The alleged assault appeared to be the only incident at the rally, police said.