Hiram Monserrate's Expulsion Upheld By Judge

NEW YORK � A federal judge has rejected an attempt to temporarily block the expulsion of a New York state lawmaker.

Colleagues voted to remove Hiram Monserrate (MAHN'-sur-aht) because of a misdemeanor assault conviction.

Judge William Pauley refused Friday to block the Democrat's expulsion.

A civil rights suit filed last week asked Pauley to reverse the lawmaker's removal and stop a March 16 special election to replace him.

He's backed by the New York Civil Liberties Union. Monserrate says the state Senate denied him due process and his constituents their right to representation.

Comments

[James v Morris]

12:40 AM on 02/22/2010

I was one of his former constituants. I've known the man as a cheap THUG for as longs as I've known him, and that's a while. As far as I'm concerned, he belongs in jail. I never understood how he ever got elected to city council, let alone the State Senate. He should go back to the police force, if they'll have him, and start over as a traffic cop. It's about all he's qualified to do.

[KangKodosOfQueens]

03:13 AM on 02/21/2010

One down, one to go! Pedro Espada is next. I hope...

[banker67]

03:20 PM on 02/20/2010

However imperfect, the judiciary must become independent, and defend that condition even against its own members.
Justice must be the pride of this country.

[pbnyc59]

03:03 PM on 02/20/2010

Hey Hirman, I hear McDonalds needs some people at the french fry stations.

[HaloGuy]

02:54 AM on 02/20/2010

Para la calle, comemierda!

[platanoman]

10:10 PM on 02/19/2010

Good riddance!

[duncansdad]

09:37 PM on 02/19/2010

It's time the slasher move on. Try to find a nice job with your criminal record, without your fake democrat buddies. Good luck.

[holyghostie]

08:31 PM on 02/19/2010

Bye girly man.

[jeffp26]

10:28 AM on 02/20/2010

Say that to his face, and we can have him arrested for assault again.

[Andie Marshall]

05:01 PM on 02/19/2010

This man is a law breaker. He believes he has the right to assault women with impunity! This is the very definition of a bigot. Had he assaulted a white man would there be any discussion? Who cares what some of his constituents think. I am sure that there were many southerners who had no problem electing a clansman with a lynching or two under his belt. Progress is slow and messy.

[Miguel Guadalupe]

04:59 PM on 02/19/2010

He's a disgrace to more than just his constituents. When d-bags like Monseratte try pulling the "man of the people" crap and parade poor clueless individuals he shames his district, his city, and perhaps most tragic, he shames positive Latinos who are trying to do well by the comunity. He is of the same school as these machista cowards who think that their public face is all that matters, and forget what attrocities he's committing to his family behind closed doors. In the quest for power, they resort to violence at the first sign of a real challenge, and if that challenge comes from "his" family, even worse the reaction. Latinos should NOT defend this piece of garbage. Kick him out and keep our politicians honest. It's time for a new model for Latino Masculinity. The time of defending this bull in the name of "culture" is over.

[zipperman]

04:04 PM on 02/19/2010

He needs to join the Reuplican party.

[Roger]

05:07 PM on 02/19/2010

He tried last year in an aborted "coup". Just another chunk of poo in the sewage that is NYS governance.

[Electronicsboy]

04:02 PM on 02/19/2010

Not my senator, but I can't believe expelling a thug like this would be so difficult. NPR ran a somewhat sympathetic piece on him the other day, citing strong support from his community.

[Osmona]

04:13 PM on 02/19/2010

I doubt the support from his community part.

[Electronicsboy]

04:33 PM on 02/19/2010

Again, not my senator, but the NPR report made it sound as though he would probably win if he were allowed to run as an independent.

[Roger]

05:09 PM on 02/19/2010

Here n NYC, "community support" simply means that he's made the right byzantine local connections. The average Jose didn't know him from a hole in the wall until this mess and can't stand him.

[quindy]

05:34 PM on 02/19/2010

He is not beloved in our community. He is against gay marriage and we have sizable gay population. We'll not miss him.

[vigwig]

03:52 PM on 02/19/2010

This man is a disgrace, personally and professionally. The NY Legislature is slimy enough, we don't want/need him. Get Lost.

[NYJedi]

03:52 PM on 02/19/2010

You should have seen him on NY1 news this morning - showed him with four or five of his "best and brightest" consituents rallied by his side.

[Osmona]

04:15 PM on 02/19/2010

I saw that this morning too. Those people were "paid" to say the things they said. The African Americans they used did not seem to even understand WHY they wanted him to stay in office. It seemed very rehearsed.

[NYJedi]

06:45 PM on 02/19/2010

Lol - look at me talking when I can't even spell constituents! :)

[dct1999]

03:23 PM on 02/19/2010

He may win on appeal, I hope he doesn't.

He's violent. He's a hypocrite. He's a liar.

Good riddance Hiram.

[happycat]

04:40 PM on 02/19/2010

I agree. He belongs in jail.

[sheeshbrother]

04:44 PM on 02/19/2010

We can only hope.