Security video shows alleged attack of a prominent doctor at the World Cup Phoenix Open

PHOENIX (AZFamily) – New security video shows former prominent Valley doctor Arthur De Luigi allegedly attacking a woman at the World Cup Phoenix Open. Police say the video contradicts Dr. De Luigi that he was pushed first. They say no one ever pushed him before he threw a stranger to the ground.

The Mayo Clinic confirmed this to Arizona's family on Wednesday “This doctor is no longer employed by Mayo Clinic.”

In a report, Scottsdale police say the former Mayo Clinic doctor was “clearly intoxicated, had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol.” After he was asked to leave, he was led out. Officials told him not to return to the event for the rest of the week.

“Your job as a police officer is over!” De Luigi said to an officer on the body camera video. “You’re going to jail,” an officer responded.

After his ejection from the World Cup Phoenix Open, De Luigi was caught on surveillance camera knocking down signs and throwing metal fences outside the Bird's Nest concert venue. The video shows him stumbling around and then pushing a woman to the sidewalk.

“Two-handed thrust like I just attacked her. She went back, hit her head and then probably four or five of us grabbed him and held him down,” a witness told an officer during an interview recorded on body camera video.

“He threw down all the railings and I said, 'Hey, stop,' and he just ran at me as fast as he could and threw me to the ground,” the victim, Katie Clayton, said to an officer on body camera video during an interview.

Clayton and her husband are suing De Luigi and his wife. They are seeking compensation for medical expenses and lost wages because he “suddenly, unexpectedly, negligently, and without warning or provocation, ran at full speed toward plaintiff Katie Clayton, body-slamming her into the pavement, resulting in serious injury.” has,” the statement of claim reads.

“I was approached by them. I pushed down a sign. They pushed me to the ground,” De Luigi told police on body camera video.

De Luigi claims he didn't start it.

“I didn't mean to knock her down, I knocked her down because I knocked in response to her shoving me in the back,” he said.

He was arrested on assault and disorderly conduct charges and placed on leave from his position as chief of physical medicine and rehabilitation and director of sports medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

“I am a doctor who volunteered today,” De Luigi told police via body camera video. “I care about your fellow police officers every day of my life.”

Arizona's family has learned that the victim's husband is a member of the Thunderbirds.

During his arrest, De Luigi told officers that he had been invited to the golf tournament that day by the head of that organization.

He is due back in court on June 4, 2024.

Do you see a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a recent news story? Send it to us here with a short description.

Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.