Wisconsin lawmaker cites black culture in justifying rebuke

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin state senator accused of using offensive language in an argument with a Milwaukee bank teller said Monday she thought she could speak that way because both of them are black and conversations in black culture are different than in other settings.

Sen. Lena Taylor, a Milwaukee Democrat, told a Wells Fargo branch teller on April 6 that he was a "good house (N-word)" because he wouldn't verify sufficient funds existed to cover a check Taylor received from a tenant, according to a police report.

The report alleges that Taylor was speaking loudly, acting aggressively, pointing at bank workers and demanding to speak to a manager.