The State Senate Circus continues on with the recent conviction of Queens Senator Hiram Monserrate on charges that slashed his girlfriend in the face with a glass. The former police officer and City Councilman now faces ouster from his position in the body - from members of his own party...
The Queens Democratic Party chairman and five Democratic state senators yesterday called for the ouster of Sen. Hiram Monserrate, virtually assuring the removal of the freshman Queens Democrat who was convicted Thursday of assaulting his girlfriend.
The quick reaction to Monserrate's conviction on a misdemeanor assault charge and acquittal on two far more serious felony charges of slashing Karla Giraldo with a broken glass came as a broader effort to obtain his resignation or ouster was under way among the Senate's 3.
"His violent behavior was not befitting a public official, and Queens residents deserve the opportunity to elect a new representative," Crowley said. "He should close this troubling chapter by immediately resigning his office."
...which means that there will more than likely be a special election held to decide who should take that seat until the elections in 2010. As this is inherently a solid Democratic District, a special election would be a welcome opportunity for Queens Republicans to get possession, at least temporarily, of a seat we'd have little chance of obtaining under different circumstances. Manhattan Democratic Senator Liz Krueger has led the charge against Monserrate...
"For the sake of his constituents, the institution of the Senate, and the Democratic Party, he should resign immediately based on the seriousness of his violent crime."
Krueger said it didn't matter that Monserrate was acquitted on the two felony charges, either of which would have brought automatic expulsion from the Senate.
"The justice system has determined that Mr. Monserrate has violated our laws and is guilty of a very disturbing and violent crime against a woman," Krueger said.
"Domestic violence is a scourge on our society and an issue which I believe requires us to speak out."
...OUCH! Now it's not clear what power the Senate Body actually has to force him out, but clearly as long as this guy is around, he's a drag on the Democrats - a drag they don't want to have going into such a critical election season. Yet, it doesn't seem that Hiram is that interested in complying...
Joseph Tacopina, the lawyer for Monserrate, who faces up to a year in jail at his sentencing Dec. 4, said the Senate had no authority to remove him.
"There's no legal basis for it, no legal basis for it whatsoever," Tacopina said. "They can't just vote him off. This is a political ploy, not one based on the law and not based on logic."
...you really can't make this stuff up...
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