Weapon cited in split

FORMER SEN. AL D’AMATO’S second wife is seeking a divorce amid allegations she wielded a shotgun during a domestic dispute with the Republican powerbroker.

Katuria D’Amato, 50, filed for divorce from the 80-year-old Republican once known as Senator Pothole in Manhattan Supreme Court on Oct. 3 using an “Anonymous v. Anonymous” caption.

The couple married in 2004 (photo inset) and have two children, Alfonso, 9, and Luciana, 7. Their strained relationship apparently reached a breaking point early on Sept. 30. Police were called to Katuria D’Amato’s address in Lido Beach regarding a domestic incident, and an individual was hospitalized, a Nassau County Police spokeswoman said.

A source close to the case, confirming comments made in court before Justice Matthew Cooper, said that Al D’Amato became afraid for their children when his wife wielded a loaded 20-gauge shotgun — with the safety on.

She feared there was an intruder around the house, though there was none, the source said.

Katuria D’Amato’s attorney, Joseph De Simone, insisted the shotgun had remained secured in a locked closet. She said the story was “made up out of whole cloth.”

Allegations that lithium had affected her mental state were “nonsense,” De Simone said, adding that Katuria was taken to a hospital that night for observation and released. Police seized the shotgun, he said.

Following the incident, Katuria filed for divorce. Two days later, Al won temporary custody of the kids from a Nassau County judge without his wife being present.

“I am genuinely heartbroken that this day has come to pass, but the safety and well-being of my children takes precedence over all other personal considerations,” Al D’Amato said in a statement.

The couple is due back in court on Wednesday.