A Queens grand jury indicted State Senator Hiram Monserrate on Monday, March 23 on charges that he assaulted his girlfriend at his Jackson Heights apartment in December of 2008.
Monserrate is suspected to be arraigned later this week on a six-count indictment – including three counts of second-degree assault, a Class D felony, and three counts of third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor.
The charges stem from an altercation Monserrate allegedly had with his girlfriend Karla Giraldo, 29, during the early morning hours of December 19, 2008. After an argument, Monserrate allegedly struck Giraldo in the face with a piece of glass that left her with a black eye and lacerations on her face that needed 20 stitches.
Hours after the incident took place, Monserrate took Giraldo to Long Island Jewish Hospitals where she reportedly told doctors and police that Monserrate hit her, but she quickly changed her story saying that the incident was an accident. Monserrate also claims that the incident was an accident.
During the last few months, Monserrate has accused the Queens District Attorney’s Office of having a vendetta against him.
Calls to Monserrate’s office seeking comment were not immediately returned on Monday, March 23.
