State GOP Calls For Monserrate To Delay Taking Office

By: Grace Rauh

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Republican lawmakers are mobilizing to block Hiram Monserrate from taking his seat in the state senate next month.

The moves comes after the Queens city councilman allegedly slashed his girlfriend's face with a piece of broken glass, leaving her with a gash that required 20 stitches. He faces seven years in prison for charges of second-degree assault.

Senator Martin Golden wants Monserrate to stay out of the senate until his assault case is resolved. He's now urging his colleagues to support a resolution against the Queens lawmaker.

"Domestic violence is one of the most severe crimes that are committed in this nation. And the last thing we need right now is somebody coming into the conference under a cloud, that he may have been involved in domestic violence, causing serious physical injury," said Golden.

If Monserrate is convicted of a felony, he will have to give up his seat immediately, leaving Democrats with a one-seat majority in the senate. The party's tenuous hold on the senate has been further complicated by three renegade Democrats who are refusing to back their party's leader, Malcolm Smith.

Monserrate is also facing tough words from some prominent women.

"He should recuse himself, even at this point, of his duties in the city council. He certainly can't focus on making this a better community while he has this very serious charge hanging over his head," said NOW New York City President Sonia Ossorio.

Monserrate said he cut his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo, after he tripped while holding a glass of water.

Monserrate's office was open for business on Monday, but the councilman was nowhere to be seen. An aide said he was spending the day with his lawyer.

Domestic violence advocates who have worked closely with Monserrate are defending him.

"I know it was an accident because I know the personality of Councilman Hiram Monserrate. And I also know that he is a great advocate for victims of domestic violence and violence in general," said Martha Flores-Vazquez of Community Prevention Alternatives.

This year, her organization received $37,500 from the city council's domestic violence initiative, which Monserrate sponsored. Last year, he helped steer $5,000 to Community Prevention Alternatives.