Although many elected officials from throughout the state are calling for State Senator Hiram Monserrate’s resignation in the wake of last week’s verdict, reaction amongst those inside his 13th Senate District was mixed.
“He works hard for the community, his neighborhood and his family,” said Blanca Borja, who lives in Jackson Heights and has known Monserrate since 2000. “He’s a good man, never aggressive and his relationship problems are the same problems that everyone has.”
Carmen Luciano, who is also a constituent of Monserrate, went down to the courtroom on Thursday, October 15 to show her support for the embattled legislator.
“He’s innocent; it’s all a misunderstanding,” Luciano said.
Monserrate, who is a former police officer and marine, made history in 2001 when he became the first Latino elected to public office in Queens representing the 21st Council District, which encompasses Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. Monserrate became a State Senator after winning a November 2008 election, just two years after he lost a close Democratic primary to then-incumbent John Sabini.
Queens Judge William Erlbaum found Monserrate not guilty on two felony and one misdemeanor charge for assaulting his girlfriend Karla Giraldo on December 18, 2008. Erlbaum did convict Monserrate on one count of misdemeanor assault that recklessly causes physical injury.
Sonia Ossorio, the President of the National Organization for Women New York City, said that, although this was a difficult case, the verdict was upsetting.
“I think for anyone who saw the videotapes and heard the testimonies from the medical staff and heard the facts about how she suffered a huge slash across the face, it’s disappointing,” Ossorio said.
Queens City Councilmember Eric Gioia, who served with Monserrate for six years in the City Council and represents parts of western Queens, said that Monserrate should be quickly removed from office.
“Elected officials should rightfully be held to a higher standard, and New Yorkers living in Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights deserve better representation than a convicted perpetrator of domestic violence,” Gioia said.
However, others said that Monserrate should not have even been convicted on the misdemeanor charge.
“That judge claimed that it was an act of recklessness, there was no evidence that I saw that was presented that she had any substantial pain or physical impairment,” said local resident Fred Maldonado. “There’s no evidence that she missed work, did she ever complain about the arm, did she receive treatment, it just wasn’t there.”
