This morning, here in New York, a bi-partisan committee of nine State Senators has just submitted its report to the entire body concerning what to do about one of its own, Senator Hiram Monserrate.
After looking into the details of his domestic violence criminal case, as well as his lack of cooperation with the committee, they have forwarded to the full Senate two recommendations; that Monserrate either be expelled or censured.
To bring you up to speed...Monserrate's girlfriend was slashed in the face with broken glass (for which Monseratte was acquitted, although the facts remain cloudy), causing deep muscle wounds, and then she was dragged by the hair out of her apartment building by the Senator...behavior caught on tape by security cameras. For that he was convicted.
Needless to say, the folks at FireMonserrate are pushing hard that this thug be tossed from office and not be allowed near a piece of legislation ever again.
So now it's in the Senate's court. Here's the full report.
Here's the statement released along with the report:
In October 2009, the New York State Senate unanimously passed a resolution approving a special committee of inquiry to investigate the conduct for which Senator Hiram Monserrate was convicted by the State Supreme Court of Queens County. The Committee examined precedent, rules, and all relevant law to establish the proper procedures and identify the remedies available to the Senate. The Committee conducted a thorough review of the facts and relevant evidence, as well as the potential options available under applicable law to address to this matter.
In its report, the Committee unanimously found that Senator Monserrate's misconduct damages the integrity and the reputation of the New York State Senate and demonstrates a lack of fitness to serve in this body. Accordingly, the Committee recommends that Senator 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. The Committee recommends that the full Senate convene to consider, debate, and vote on a resolution for expulsion as soon as reasonably possible. If that resolution fails to pass, the Senate should consider, debate and vote on a resolution for censure with the revocation of privileges.
This committee has done a pretty good job. Led by Eric Schneiderman, the bi-partisan group of nine unanimously signed on to the recommendations.
The next step is for the Leadership to decide whether to bring either of these proposed sanctions to the floor for a vote. I believe they will and that Monserrate will be toast.
But that won't necessarily be the end of it. Monserrate is planning on challenging all this in court, saying the action would be illegal, but it's my take that the committee was serious, did things right and got all its legal ducks in a row. Schneiderman is a good lawyer and knew how to make this all happen. Also, NY AG Andrew Cuomo has notified the Senate that he will represent them if Monserrate chooses to seek an injunction. Stay tuned.
Also, the FireMonserrate (sign the petition, if you haven't already) effort has grown into a larger movement to change the make up of the Senate...Reboot NY. An official launch of the web site and our plans is scheduled for late January, but you can sign on to our contact list there now.