G-O-T-V

by: Roatti

Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 14:52:11 PM EDT

On the latest election news, it appears the Slasher has also broken election law- twice:

Around 11:30 a.m., he strutted into a senior center on Roosevelt Avenue in Corona that also held a polling station, violating election laws that require candidates and their supporters to stay at least 100 feet away.

(snip)

About a half hour later, Mr. Monserrate's sound truck arrived outside another polling site at Public School 89 in Jackson Heights followed by two vans with his name on them.

The vehicles parked in front of the school and Mr. Monserrate stepped out to talk to voters.

A poll worker requested that the vans be moved. Mr. Monserrate denied that their vans were working on his behalf and continued to speak with voters.

When the poll worker confronted Mr. Monserrate, he said angrily, "Buzz off, man. Buzz off. Go shave, get a haircut and get lost. Who are you to tell me who I can and can't talk to?"

Indeed.  Who is a poll worker to tell a candidate about violating election law?  Who has the right to tell the Slasher about any law, since no law applies to him?  I think we have Stephen Colbert's latest alpha-dog of the week right here.  

Update: Election results are available here.

The Slasher takes the Bigotry Route

by: Roatti

Tue Mar 09, 2010 at 12:50:19 PM EST

Marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and his physically abused wife.  Just when you thought the Slasher couldn't go any lower.  

On the web:

Jose Peralta for State Senate

Hiram the Abuser

Defeating the Slasher

by: Roatti

Sat Mar 06, 2010 at 17:36:08 PM EST

Also notice the Obama-type logo on the sign.  Shameless.

This photo is inside Peralta HQ- everyone there was really motivated and made me feel confident that soon we will no longer have to worry about having the slashing shame of the state in our legislature ever again.

Hiram the Abuser

Defeat the Slasher: Canvass for Jose Peralta this Saturday

by: Roatti

Wed Mar 03, 2010 at 13:16:39 PM EST

Thanks for joining us this Saturday, March 6th, to support Assemblymember Jose Peralta in his bid to fill the vacated seat of recently expulsed State Senator, Hiram Monserrate.  Queens voters need to know about this election and that they have an opportunity to choose a State Senator they can be proud of!

We will be meeting at Union Square at 9:30 AM, in front of the George Washington Statue, and taking the train to Queens for a day of canvassing. Please RSVP with your full information below and we will send you an email with more details, including phone numbers for contacting us if need be.

Thanks for your involvement!

You can RSVP at the link.  It's hard to think of a better way to spend your energy in a local political race this year.  

Hiram files 5,500 sigs

by: Bouldin

Tue Feb 23, 2010 at 08:55:29 AM EST

Via Liz, the Yes We Can [beat the crap out of women and claim victimhood] line, ex-Senator Monserrate's freshly created vehicle to ooze back into office, has filed over 5,500 signatures - far in excess, if valid, of the requirements to get on the ballot in the March 16th special election in the 13th SD.

There is, of course, a statement:

"I am committed, as I have always been, to defend the rights of the voters and never allowing their vote to be disenfranchised. The amount of community support during the past 6 days proves that voters in this district know who best represents them independently from party bosses, political hacks, and Albany insiders."

Then again, that's slightly less unctuous than the time he compared himself to Jesus.

Monserrate Expulsion Upheld

by: Roatti

Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 15:06:59 PM EST

Judge Pauley decided that two of the main arguments made by Monserrate's lawyers did not hold water. He determined that Monserrate's right to due process was not violated by the expulsion process, since the senate gave the him fair warning that expulsion might be an option when it created a special committee to investigate the incident. The committee gave Monserrate amply opportunity to testify or otherwise defend himself through his lawyers. Monserrate declined to participate.

Further, Judge Pauley says "the power of a body to determine the fitness of its members is embedded in American democracy."

Monserrate's legal argument in this case was extremely tenuous and this ruling was widely expected in the legal community, but it's nice to have this seemingly obvious issue settled.  Monserrate's lawyers will probably appeal, but I don't expect the outcome of the appeal to be any different.  

However, this is not the end.  The Slasher is going to run for the special election against Assemblyman Jose Peralta, so Peralta needs all our support.  He is having a free meet-and-greet tonight:

Friday, February 19
6:30pm-8:30pm

DL21C welcomes
Jose Peralta
NYS Assemblyman and candidate for NY State Senate (D-Corona, Jackson Heights, Queens)

Mr. Dennehy's Pub (lower level)
63 Carmine Street (at Houston; 1 to Houston; B/D/F/V/A/C/E to W 4th)
This event is free!

RSVP HERE

I'd be there but I'm leaving for a vacation in the Caribbean tonight.  But if you can make it, Peralta needs you.  Can you imagine the horror if Slasher wins his old seat back?  I just might quit politics if that happens.

Poll after the jump.

Former Senator Monserrate's Shaky Defense

by: Bouldin

Fri Feb 12, 2010 at 13:34:27 PM EST

Defendants named are Malcolm Smith, Tom DiNapoli, Eric Schneiderman, David Paterson, Richard Ravitch, and Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez, all in their official, not personal, capacities.

The suit alleges, inter alia, that former Senator Monserrate was injured in his rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and further, that his expulsion from the Senate similarly violated the rights of his former constituents.

So lets look at that.

Hiram Monserrate, Civil Rights Icon

by: Bouldin

Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 14:50:50 PM EST

The long drama of Hiram shuddered to an end last night not with a bang, but with a whimper. By 53-8, the Senate voted to expel Hiram Monserrate for bringing, essentially, too much discredit on a body that has altogether too much experience with it.

However, just in case anyone is confused, Hiram stands on the shoulders of giants. More to the point: his fight, in his mind, is not about him. It's actually about you.

I haven't talked to her recently, but I'm not sure god thinks highly of men who beat women bloody.

"I expect us to act on this very quickly"

by: Bouldin

Fri Jan 15, 2010 at 09:47:22 AM EST

The political fate of State Senator Hiram Monserrate, a Queens Democrat convicted of assault in a dispute that left his companion with a gash on her face, grew uncertain on Thursday as a special committee recommended that the Senate vote soon on a motion to expel him.

The Senate Democratic leader, John L. Sampson, is expected to allow an expulsion vote to proceed, most likely within two weeks.

"I expect us to act on this very quickly," said Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, a Manhattan Democrat who led the special committee, which was created specifically to handle the Monserrate case. "There is no reason we can't move quickly. And I think it's in everyone's best interest to do so."

Mr. Monserrate is not expected to survive a Senate vote on his ouster. He would be the first member of the Legislature to be expelled since six members of the Assembly were removed in the 1920s for their affiliation with the Socialist Party of America.

But not so fast. City Hall News has the disgraced Senator on the record as wanting to take his case to the voters.

"I fully expect to be running and to put my record of accomplishment to the voters of this district and move forward," Monserrate said in the interview. "So I'm prepared to challenge, to debate intelligently, based on the facts and not hysteria, my record and my role as a public servant with anyone."

If he is expelled and does run again, he'll be challenged by Assemblyman José Peralta, Empire State Pride Agenda - Monserrate voted against the marriage equality bill, apparently believing that marriage is exclusively for an abusive man and a battered woman - and the entire Queens Democratic establishment.

That is, however, if he is indeed expelled. Given the division of seats in the Senate - 32 Ds, 30 Rs - some R votes are required to make it happen. And it's hard to see Dean Skelos and his caucus doing the Democrats the political favor of getting rid of one of the guys who joined with them in their short-lived coup.

Breaking: Foley to introduce resolution expelling Monserrate

by: Bouldin

Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 15:48:04 PM EST

SENATOR FOLEY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTION EXPELLING SENATOR MONSERRATE FROM SENATE

Following report from committee investigating Monserrate's domestic violence conviction, Foley calls on his colleagues to join him in condemning Monserrate

ALBANY, NY - Today, Senator Brian X. Foley (D - Blue Point) announced plans to introduce a resolution expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the New York State Senate.

Senator Foley made the announcement after the Senate Select Committee investigating Senator Monserrate released its final report condemning Senator Monserrate's conduct.  The committee, comprised of a bi-partisan group of senators, strongly recommended sanction against Monserrate.

As a longtime advocate for domestic violence victims and a board member of the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Senator Foley has consistently called  for Senator Monserrate's  removal from the senate, following his conviction related to domestic violence charges. Senator Foley has repeatedly urged Senator Monserrate to resign, in order to avoid expulsion proceedings.

"While we would all prefer that Senator Monserrate resign from the senate, his refusal to do so has left us no choice but to forcefully expel him," said Foley. "Domestic violence has no place in our society. It certainly has no place in the New York State Senate.

"By allowing Senator Monserrate to continue his tenure, we would be doing a disservice to victims of domestic violence across our state. I urge my colleagues to join me in not only condemning the actions of Senator Monserrate, but removing him from the senate. Senator Monserrate has been given ample opportunity to defend himself. He not only refused to testify in his criminal trial, he also refused to cooperate with the senate committee investigating him.  Senator Monserrate's reprehensible conduct has rendered him unfit to hold office as a New York State Senator."

Monserrate hearing Livestream *Updated*

by: Bouldin

Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 11:34:45 AM EST

Panel Finds Monserrate Unfit to Serve

Concluding that State Senator Hiram Monserrate lied about a domestic dispute in 2008 that left his companion with a gash to her face, a special Senate committee has recommended an immediate vote to remove the senator from office.

A report by the committee, which was released on Thursday, determined that Mr. Monserrate, a Democrat from Queens, put his interests above the safety of his companion, Karla Giraldo, and never expressed a sincere apology.

"The decisions made that night by Senator Monserrate as to the treatment of someone he ostensibly loved and cared for, were not consistent with the obvious need to obtain swift medical care for an injury of the seriousness of Ms. Giraldo's," the report states. "Whether the senator was worried for his political future or not, the evidence demonstrates both recklessness and callousness."

The nine-member committee, led by Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, a Democrat from Manhattan, also found that Mr. Monserrate's actions damaged the reputation of the Senate and demonstrated "a lack of fitness to serve in this body."

You can read that report in PDF here. Key grafs per CapCon:

The Select Committee finds that the nature and seriousness of Sen. Monserrate's conduct ... showed a reckless disregard for Ms. Geraldo's well-being and for the severity of her injury. We therefore find that ... Sen. Monserrate's misconduct damages the integrity and reputation of the New York State Senate and demonstrates a lack of fitness to serve in the body.

Accordingly, the Select Committee recommends that Sen. Monserrate be sanctioned by the full Senate, and that the Senate vote to impose one of two punishments: expulsion, or in the alternative, censure with revocation of privileges.

Update: Senator Liz Krueger says Hiram should do the right thing and resign already:

Following Hiram Monserrate's conviction, I requested his resignation from the New York State Senate. Based on the information before the public, I found his behavior deplorable and his conduct well below the standard by which elected officials should be held.

Soon after, the bi-partisan Special Committee on Inquiry quickly began an exhaustive review of not just the evidence leading up to Monserrate's conviction, but his conduct since--including his unwillingness to participate in the committee's process after publicly alleging his full cooperation.

I appreciate the seriousness with which this committee compiled their report, and after reviewing its findings, stand by my belief that Hiram Monserrate has no place in this or any other legislative body or elected office.  Senator Monserrate still has a chance to finally do something right for the people of New York and resign, but as that seems unlikely, I am fully prepared to take action and vote for his expulsion.

Replacing Monserrate with another Espada?

by: NYBri

Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 16:34:22 PM EST

Queens Assemblyman Jose Peralta landed more than $500,000 in taxpayer money for a nonprofit that never filed federal tax records, has no employees and has been inactive for more than two years.

Peralta is the Queens Democratic machine's choice to primary Senator Hiram Monserrate in September, if he's not removed from office by the Senate before then.

The article outlines activities on the part of Peralta that sound very similar to Senator Pedro Espada's request for $2 million in Member Items for non-profits that had no address or staff or, well, much of anything except ties to Espada's friends and family.

One of the reasons for Espada's participation in the coup this past summer was the fact that the Democratic leadership essentially told him jump in a lake about the requests...so he went somewhere else to get the money...like Dean Skelos. (Ever wonder what was on tap for the Senate on the day of the coup? It was approval of the Member Items distribution that didn't include Pedro's request.)

Just what we need in the Senate. Another Pedro.

Sen. Hiram Monserrate sentenced to 3 years probation - UPDATE

by: Andrew C. White

Fri Dec 04, 2009 at 14:24:49 PM EST

The sentencing shows both the privileges that come along with holding a position of power and the difficulties that women and courts face in dealing with domestic violence cases.

Assistant District Attorney Scott Kessler recommended 60 days in jail along with three years probation, domestic violence counseling and a $1,000 fine. Kessler argued correctly that Monserrate has shown no understanding of the seriousness of his actions or underlying problems, nor has he taken any responsibility for his actions.

Their remains little doubt that on the night of Dec. 19, 2008, Hiram Monserrate in a jealous rage took a broken drinking glass and slashed his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo, across the face causing 40 stitches worth of damage. Giraldo, in a situation all too common in domestic abuse cases, told the truth to health care providers while being treated in the emergency room but later recanted and told a whopper of a story to cover up for her abuser.

5 to go... Who will be the lucky 1000th to

by: Andrew C. White

Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 22:02:34 PM EDT

This is a man that needs firing. He has no place in government. If you haven't signed yet... will you now? Will you be the 1000th to FireMonserrate!

US Sen. Gillibrand calls for NYS Senator to resign

by: Andrew C. White

Mon Oct 19, 2009 at 14:55:52 PM EDT

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has sent us the following statement in support of our demand for the resignation or removal of Hiram Monserrate from the New York State Senate:

Senator Gillibrand's official statement:

"Domestic violence has no place in our society, and certainly has no place in the State Legislature.  A court of law has found Sen. Monserrate guilty of domestic violence, and I believe he should resign immediately. If he does not resign, then the Senate should move to expel him.  We must take a hard line against violence toward women in our society."

Please sign the petition and ask your friends to do likewise. It's at FireMonserrate.com

NARAL Pro-Choice New York To The Senate: If You Don't Remove Him, We Will

by: robert.harding

Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 10:06:42 AM EDT

NARAL Pro-Choice New York issued a strongly worded statement about Monserrate yesterday:

"In the wake of his assault conviction, NARAL Pro-Choice New York strongly condemns Senator Hiram Monserrate and unequivocally calls for his immediate ouster.  The New York State Democratic party has a proud history of supporting and defending women and women's issues; this stain on the party cannot stand or the Democrats will no longer be seen as the party that protects women's health and rights.  

Our message to the Senate is urgent and clear: if you do not remove this individual from office, we will."

You can't blame NARAL for their disgust. The silence from the state party is disappointing. I know that they are supposed to support Democrats, but given the nature of this crime, they should come out to condemn Monserrate.

What NARAL does here is good. Not only do they target Monserrate for his conduct, but they put the Democrats on notice. Good for them.

Fire Monserrate? Yes. Absolutely. But Replace Him With Someone Better

by: robert.harding

Sat Oct 17, 2009 at 09:53:49 AM EDT

But if there is anything that past history tells us, it's that we just can't "fire" him. We need to can him AND replace him with someone better.

Case in point: Efrain Gonzalez.

Gonzalez had some serious charges against him. He admitted to funneling state money (your tax dollars) to two nonprofits so that he could use that money for a shopping spree. A Gonzalez staffer was sentenced to prison for being the recipient of a "no show" job. (Gonzalez will be sentenced next month, so stay tuned.)

We wanted Gonzalez out. His scandal was bad news, not only for Democrats and the New York State Senate, but for the 33rd Senate District Gonzalez represents. No one wants to be represented by a crook. And that's exactly what Gonzalez is.

So who did we find to replace the scandal-ridden Efrain Gonzalez?

Senator Pedro Espada.

That's all I need to say, especially on this blog. We replaced one scandal-plagued senator with another only because the challenger (Espada), at the time, was the lesser of two evils.

If we are going to replace Monserrate, we need someone better to serve the residents of the 13th Senate District. We can't just replace him with someone that has a questionable past who will burn us in the end (like Espada). Monserrate needs to exit. He was found guilty of a crime that still has a lot of unanswered questions. While the misdemeanor means that Monserrate technically can stay in office, it still doesn't say a lot of Monserrate. Being found guilty of physically abusing your girlfriend isn't a good characteristic to have as an elected official.

The lessons we have learned about Espada should be fresh in our minds. The DSCC supported him. We saw him as a better option than Gonzalez, which is debatable. While Gonzalez had his own scandal with nonprofits, Espada also has nonprofit problems. Espada has toyed with switching to the Republican Party in the past and that culminated with his role in the June coup.

Thus, to replace Monserrate, we need to have a good Democrat ready to take over. We can't have another Pedro Espada.  

Monserrate Gives Up Committee Chair

by: phillip anderson

Mon Mar 23, 2009 at 16:13:41 PM EDT

"Today, Senator Monserrate and I met to discuss the proceedings he is facing. As a result of this meeting, Senator Monserrate asked to temporarily step down as Chair of the Senate's Consumer Affairs Committee. I have accepted his request and such action is effective immediately. Senator Monserrate will retain his duties as a member of the State Senate during this time, but will not have the privilege of serving as chair until such time as his legal proceedings have been completely resolved."

Earlier, Smith's spokesman, Austin Shafran, said the Senator Monserrate's indictment would be discussed in the Senate Dem conference.

Monserrate Indicted

by: phillip anderson

Mon Mar 23, 2009 at 12:31:39 PM EDT

New York state Sen. Hiram Monserrate was indicted Monday morning on a felony assault charge in Queens after allegedly attacking his girlfriend during an argument, CBS 2 has confirmed.

Monserrate, a former New York City councilman who was sworn into office as Senator in January despite the looming charge, will be arraigned later this week.

Monserrate was charged with assault and weapon possession after Karla Giraldo's face was slashed on Dec. 19 at his Queens home. Both Monserrate and Giraldo say the incident was an accident -- Monserrate told police that he tripped while holding a glass of water and that the glass accidentally hit her. The Queens district attorney's office said the case is pending.

But authorities say evidence, including surveillance videos, paints a more violent picture of a heated argument and a frightened, bleeding woman in distress. Investigators say Monserrate purposely smashed her face with broken glass in an apparent jealous rage.

The Queens County DA just put out a release which reads in part:

The grand jury charged Monserrate, 41, with three counts of second-degree assault, a Class D felony, and three counts of third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor.

According to the charges, during the early morning hours of December 19, 2008, Monserrate assaulted Karla Giraldo, 29. Ms. Giraldo was treated at a local Queens hospital, where she received stitches to the area surrounding her left eye.

Both Monserrate and his girlfriend have maintained since that night that it was an accident. The Queens DA apparently disagrees.

I'm sure this won't be the last we hear of this story.

UPDATE: Monserrate's spokesman just released a statement:

"I've said all along this was an accident. Karla has said all along this was an accident. The District Attorney's politically motivated decision to pursue this case doesn't change the fact that this was an accident."

Sen. Adams Taking Monserrate's Side; More On Monserrate Incident

by: robert.harding

Tue Dec 23, 2008 at 22:45:01 PM EST

To be fair, Sen. Adams doesn't defend what Monserrate allegedly did. But Sen. Adams does say that what happened with Monserrate is revenge from the New York City Police Department for Monserrate's fight for police reform.

Liz has the statement from Adams, which is a very interesting read.

"As a former NYPD Captain, I have some serious concerns regarding the unusual handling of the case against Councilman Monserrate," Adams said. "The primary goal of investigating a complaint of domestic violence is to ensure the safety of the innocent victim."

"However, the police department and the DA appear to have ignored Ms. Giraldo's repeated insistence that the injury she sustained was the result of an accident, a fact that has been publicly supported by Ms. Giraldo's family in interviews with the press."

"Second, the department departed from standard operating procedures by requiring a public 'perp walk' past TV cameras, rather than following the normal routine of taking someone out the back door through the precinct's private lot. A 'perp walk' is used when the the NYPD wants to expose a suspect to public view."

"These questions raise serious doubts regarding the motivating factor behind the arrest and charges against Councilman Monserrate. Specifically, these facts suggest that the Police Department's priority is to publicly humiliate the accused rather than following the evidence."

"It is well known that Councilman Monserrate has been an outspoken advocate for police reform. I believe his role as an agent for change cause him to be denied his rights and a thorough investigation."

We also have more information on the incident today. According to multiple media reports, Monserrate and his girlfriend were arguing about a business card found in the girlfriend's purse. The business card was reportedly from a Police Benevolent Association (PBA) member. Why that was enough to spark the alleged attack remains to be seen.

But why Sen. Adams chose to inject himself in this isn't very smart, especially if this turns out to be a crime and not the accident that some are trying to make it out to be. I would not want to associate myself with Monserrate. He might be innocent. But he also might be guilty. It's not worth risking a political career over.