State Senate Republicans will try to force Democrats to take a stand against Sen.-elect Hiram Monserrate with a resolution to keep him from being sworn in until he resolves criminal charges alleging he slashed his girlfriend’s face with a broken glass.
GOP senators will bring the issue to a vote when the Senate convenes Jan. 7. Under state law, Monserrate can wait no longer than Jan. 30 before filing an official oath of office. Beyond that date, his Senate seat would be declared vacant.
“The last thing the people of the city and state of New York want to see is someone sitting in the Senate who is accused of committing a [Class] B felony,” said Sen. Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn), the resolution’s sponsor.
“You would think whether you’re a Democrat or Republican you’d want the truth to come out before allowing an individual like this to take his seat.”
Monserrate, a current city councilman and a former police officer, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of assault after an alleged confrontation with his girlfriend that ended with two deep cuts around her eye.
He was released on $5,000 bail.
The arrest sent shock waves through a Legislature that is locked in a high-profile battle for control.
Monserrate’s vote could be important to Democrats in January because the party will hold a narrow 32-30 majority.
Monserrate denied Saturday in a statement that he had intentionally slashed his 30-year-old girlfriend, Karla Giraldo, a day earlier, causing her to need 20 stitches around her left eye. He claimed he tripped while bringing her a glass of water.
An aide yesterday said the story has been blown out of proportion. He described the politician as “remorseful.”
“Her entire family knows it’s not in his nature,” said Maurice Phillips, Monserrate’s longtime friend.
Phillips said Monserrate would abide by a judge’s order to stay away from the woman.
If Monserrate’s seat is declared vacant, Gov. Paterson would schedule a special election for his replacement.
But Democrats said that is unlikely. A top aide to Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) brushed aside the resolution and said she expected Monserrate to take the oath of office come Jan. 1.
“I anticipate that the senator-elect will be following the provisions of the law by signing and filing his oath of office on a timely basis,” said Shelley Mayer, Smith’s chief counsel.