Next time I do something really offensive, I’m going to blame it on alcohol and see how it works for me!

October 25, 2006

MIAMI –A state legislator acknowledged leaving a profanity-laced message that included a racial slur on a colleague’s voice mail, and said he will seek counseling to control his temper, especially when drinking.

Police and the state Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the message the message left by Rep. Ralph Arza, as well as an anonymous message, because the recipient, Rep. Gus Barreiro, said the calls sounded threatening.

Barreiro, a Miami Beach Republican, filed a complaint last week with the House Rules Committee, claiming Arza used a racial epithet when referring to a black school official.

Arza, a Miami-area Republican, denied a similar allegation in May but apologized at the time for anything construed as offensive.

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