Arrest in V. Stiviano assault near New York City hotel

NEW YORK -- A man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly assaulting V. Stiviano, the woman at the center of the Donald Sterling controversy, in New York City June 1.

Dominick Diorio, 40, of Old Bethpage, Long Island, has been charged with third-degree assault, harassment and aggravated harassment in connection with the incident involving Stiviano outside the Gansevoort Hotel, New York police said Tuesday. Prosecutors are expected to request that a grand jury upgrade the charges to hate crimes.

The incident happened at about 7 p.m. near the hotel in Manhattan and involved two men, said Mac Nehoray, Stiviano's lawyer.

According to the criminal complaint, "the defendant and another unapprehended individual followed her down the street while repeatedly calling her a "n----- b----" and a "whore." The defendant allegedly reached through an open taxi window and struck her in the face with his closed fist before both men spat on her. Diorio then allegedly swung his fists at her face and body, saying in substance: "Yeah, I'll f------ hit a girl. I'll hit you, you n------ b----."

Nehoray said Stiviano was examined by a doctor after the incident and found to be "banged up but OK."

Diorio was arraigned Wednesday morning and released pending his next court date July 30.

Stiviano, 31, entered the public spotlight in March, after recordings between her and Sterling emerged online featuring the since-ousted Los Angeles Clippers owner's racist rants.