Maryland Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti, 51, has been accused of using the N-word when referring to Prince George's County - where 62 percent of the population is black - during an after-hours meeting with fellow lawmakers at a cigar bar last month. The Harford County Democrat is pictured

A white Maryland lawmaker accused of referring to a county as a 'n***** district' has apologized to leaders of the state's Legislative Black Caucus.

Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti allegedly used the racial slur to describe Prince George's County while talking to a white colleague who campaigned in the district at an after-hours gathering at an Annapolis cigar bar.

The population of Prince George's County is 62 percent African American, according to the US Census Bureau.

Members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland confronted the Democrat from Harford County over the allegations on Monday night, according to The Washington Post.

Caucus chair Del Darryl Barnes, a fellow Democrat from Prince George's County, said Lisanti appeared 'contrite' when asked about her remarks, which he described as 'really disturbing'.

'She apologized several times,' Barnes told the Post. 'She recognizes how she has hurt so many within the caucus, and she hoped to repent from this.

He added: 'She said that she doesn’t remember fully what happened, but she recognizes what happened.'

Lisanti allegedly made the remark at Annapolis Cigar (pictured) late last month in front of a small, racially mixed group of colleagues

Lisanti apologized to the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland on Monday night. Caucus chair Del Darryl Barnes (third from the left with other caucus leadership), a fellow Democrat from Prince George's County, said that Lisanti appeared 'contrite' when asked about her remarks

Lisanti allegedly made the remark at Annapolis Cigar late last month in front of a small, racially mixed group of colleagues.

According to the Post, the following lawmakers were in attendance: Del Jay Walker (D-Prince George's), House Majority Whip Talmadge Branch (D-Baltimore City); Dels Theresa E Reilly (R-Harford), Warren E Miller (R-Howard) and Carl L Anderton Jr (R-Wicomico); and state Sen Brian J Feldman (D-Montgomery).

The Post had questioned Lisanti about the incident N-word earlier this month, to which she responded: 'I don't recall that... I don't recall much of that evening.'

When pressed further about whether she had ever used the N-word, the lawmaker said: 'I'm sure I have... I'm sure everyone has used it.

'I've used the f-word. I used the Lord’s name in vain.'

Lisanti did not return requests for comment following the Monday meeting.

The allegations against her came on the heels of disturbing racist revelations out of Virginia, where Gov Ralph S Northam and Attorney General Mark R Herring, both Democrats, admitted to using blackface decades ago.

When asked about her alleged use of the N-word earlier this month, Lisanti told the Post: 'I don't recall that... I don't recall much of that evening'

The allegations against Lisanti came on the heels of disturbing racist revelations out of Virginia, where Gov Ralph S Northam (left) and Attorney General Mark R Herring (right), both Democrats, admitted to using blackface decades ago

A number of fellow lawmakers from Maryland have expressed concern over Lisanti's alleged comments.

House Speaker Michael E Busch issued a statement on Monday urging Lisanti to apologize to her colleagues and 'face the consequences of her behavior'.

'There is no place in the House of Delegates for any racial slurs — or slurs of any kind in society in general,' the Democrat of Anne Arundel said.

Barnes told the Post that he thinks Lisanti should undergo sensitivity training, and said: 'I do think that someone who uses the word, it’s a reflection of what’s in their heart.'

Del Sheree Sample-Hughes, who was at the meeting Monday night, said hearing about Lisanti's use of the slur was 'very disheartening and frustrating'.

When Sample-Hughes asked her whether she grew up in a household where that word was used, Lisanti 'didn't give a direct response', the Democrat from Wicomico said.

Prince George's County Executive Angela D Alsobrooks publicly invited Lisanti to come visit the county, calling reports about her comments 'disturbing and offensive'.

'I would love for her to come here and visit so I can show her the true Prince George’s County,' Alsobrooks said, according to the Post.

Lisanti is a second-term lawmaker and serves on the House Economic Matters Committee. She is also chair of the unemployment insurance subcommittee.