Montco’s Marino hurt in confrontation; state police investigating

State police are investigating an incident in which an officer with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources allegedly shoved Michael Marino, the former Montgomery County commissioner and former district attorney, at his ranch Sunday.

"I was the victim of an assault," said Marino, 70, when reached by phone Tuesday.

About 5 p.m. Sunday, the conservation officer was performing a traffic stop in a parking lot at Marino's ranch on Anders Road in Skippack Township when Marino approached and questioned the officer, state police said.

A dispute ensued, state police said, and Marino suffered a non-bleeding injury to his head. Marino was transported to Abington Memorial Hospital, where he was treated before being released.

State police did not release the officer's name because no arrest had been made and the investigation was ongoing.

Christina Novak, a spokeswoman for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said her agency was investigating. She declined to comment further.

Marino said he approached the officer because he wanted to find out what was happening on his property, which he calls Red Buffalo Ranch.

When asked if the officer punched him, Marino said no, he was "shoved." He declined to elaborate.