James Dolan’s controversial use of facial recognition technology at MSG is more intrusive than previously thought, according to a discrimination lawsuit filed against the Midtown venue this week in Manhattan federal court.

Donald Ingrasselino, a former New Jersey law enforcement official, alleged in the suit that he was wrongfully fired after repeatedly raising objections to MSG’s surveillance practices and after seeking accommodations for his Type 1 diabetes.

The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims the technology — along with MSG's entire security apparatus — was used unlawfully to “target personal enemies of the Company” rather than to keep concert-goers or sports fans safe.

The venue’s use of facial recognition, first reported in 2018, has drawn condemnation after fans said they’ve been barred from events simply for being critical of Dolan, who owns the arena. One fan discovered he was banned for life from MSG for a t-shirt he made years before, only when he arrived and had his face scanned at the venue.

The software has faced legal and legislative pushback but, because it's a private venue, MSG has considerable leeway. And as the home of the Knicks, the Rangers and some of the biggest musical acts in the world, fans have not been deterred.

In the lawsuit, Ingrasselino says his boss, chief security officer John Eversole, directed the security team to keep a transgender woman named “Mia” on the arena’s “do not enter” list, telling staff to “keep him or it or whatever it is away from the [Knicks] players.”

Ingrasselino says the woman was targeted for her gender identity, not for posing any legitimate threat.

Ingrasselino also says in the complaint, first reported by The Athletic, that his boss told him to secretly tape phone calls of a woman who accused Dolan of sexual assault in an effort to discredit her — an order that Ingrasselino did not obey. A judge threw out the sexual abuse case in September of 2024.

Ingrasselino says he was ordered to conduct insider “threat” investigations of MSG guests, vendors and employees. These probes involved compiling extensive personal and financial data — including Social Security numbers, tax records, and family photographs — without a valid business purpose, according to the suit.

When Ingrasselino objected, he said he was told to “follow orders.”

The former detective also says he raised alarms about MSG staff carrying firearms inside company venues without proper certifications — a practice he argued was illegal and unsafe.

Ingrasselino, 49, said he was fired about one month after he declined to monitor the sexual assault accuser. He is suing for an undisclosed amount in wages, medical expenses and damages.

“Although we have not yet been served, we are aware of the complaint and these baseless allegations, which we vehemently deny and will vigorously fight in court,” said company spokesperson Mikyl Cordova, in a statement. "This is just another example of predatory law firms attempting to leverage the media and extort fees and payoffs.”

The lawsuit portrays a hostile workplace environment, particularly under Eversole, an executive vice president.

Ingrasselino claims his boss mocked his diabetes — a disability he initially tried to keep under wraps. Eversole called him “sick” and staged public taunts around the office, leaving cakes and pastries for the entire team and telling coworkers Ingrasselino would “die if he eats sugar [because] he’s weak,” according to the complaint.

Ingrasselino also claims that Eversole discriminated against him due to his age, calling him "another old retired cop” and an “old failure.”

The suit says Eversole also disparaged some women in the office as “toxic and crazy.”

This story has been updated with additional comment from MSG.