MONSERRATE ARRESTED

The promising political future of rapidly ascending Latino Queens City Councilmember and Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate might come to a screeching halt after police arrested Monserrate and charged him with second-degree assault and weapons possession six days before Christmas.
Following an argument with his girlfriend Karla Giraldo, 30, around 1 a.m. Friday morning, December 19, Monserrate allegedly hit Giraldo with a broken glass giving her a black eye and causing lacerations above her eye, according to the criminal complaint. Monserrate then drove Giraldo to Long Island Jewish Hospital where she received 20 stitches for the injuries and allegedly told doctors and the police that Monserrate had attacked her with the glass.
Now, Giraldo is allegedly twisting her story as reports have her saying it was an accident. A source told The Courier that Giraldo signed an affidavit that same night in the presence of an attorney and notary, claiming Monserrate did not attack her and hit her in the head with a glass.
Days after the encounter, Republican Brooklyn State Senator Marty Golden introduced a resolution on Monday, December 22, asking his Senate colleagues to back legislation that would delay Monserrate taking his oath as Senator until the end of January after the felony assault charges against him are resolved.
“Members of the Senate should be held accountable to the highest standards of personal and moral conduct,” Golden said. “Domestic violence charges are extremely serious, and it’s important that everyone take a stand.”
Monserrate remained mum on the incident until Saturday when he issued a statement that said he was innocent of the charges against him.
“As the result of an unfortunate accident involving myself and someone whom I care for deeply and love, I have been charged with offenses that I did not commit and am not capable of committing,” Monserrate said in a statement. “As a son, a brother and a father, these accusations are offensive, and they are crushing on a personal level.”
News of Monserrate’s arrest began to circulate early Friday morning, and he remained in custody in the confines of the 105th Precinct for the better part of the day on Friday. The day before, Monserrate spent his final day at City Hall receiving praise from his Council colleagues for his work during the past seven years, and he later attended a holiday party hosted by Queens Democratic Party head and Queens Congressmember Joseph Crowley.
Monserrate is poised to become the State Senator in District 13 after voters elected him to the State Senate in an uncontested election in November. His support is critical to having the Democrats become the majority party when the Senators vote for Majority leader in early January.
Prior to serving in the City Council, Monserrate served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and 12 years as city police officer.
Monserrate’s next court date is scheduled for January 16, and he could face up to seven years in jail if convicted of the charges.