Jackson Heights Blog

I think it is a sad situation that we should try to get all the facts.

For Immediate Release: December 20, 2008
Press Release

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER HIRAM MONSERRATE

Jackson Heights, Queens – Councilman Monserrate today made the
following statement regarding the events of early Friday, December 19.

“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. As a son, a
brother and a father, these accusations are offensive, and they are
crushing on a personal level. Nonetheless I whole-heartedly look
forward to all of the facts being brought to light during this legal
process.

I have dedicated my life to keeping people safe. I stand with the many
elected officials who have expressed their condemnation of domestic
violence and I fully support, and have even enforced, laws meant to
take any appearance of domestic violence seriously. As a police
officer for 12 years, I worked to put men who abused women in jail. As
a member of the City Council, I have an extensive record of supporting
programs that help women to overcome domestic violence.

While I cannot comment more at this time regarding how this accident
occurred because I am now in the midst of the legal process, I would
like to reiterate to my constituents and community that I have
absolutely nothing to hide and all facts will become known at the
appropriate time. In the meantime, I understand everyone’s concerns
regarding these allegations and will answer any and all questions that
I can without hindering the legal case.

I want to be very clear that this occurrence was a terribly
unfortunate accident. Despite Karla’s initial reticence and reluctance
to go to the hospital, my sole concern was to provide her with
immediate medical attention. In her distress, she insisted that she
would not go to Elmhurst Hospital. I took her to Long Island Jewish
Hospital in Queens because my family has received excellent medical
care there in the past. I got Karla to the hospital as quickly as
possible and I stayed by her side as she was treated. I also contacted
her family, who expressed their confidence that I was caring for her
appropriately and looking out for her wellbeing.

In addition, I would like to caution those who might be tempted to
rush to judgment on press reports that are inaccurate and based upon
speculation and misinformation. Such conclusions will be found
ultimately to be grossly erroneous and unjust. Further, I have serious
concerns about the manner in which this case has been handled.

In the meantime, I would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of
love and support I have received during this difficult time, and look
forward to continuing my role as the new representative of this
community in the New York State Senate.

###

The truth will be brought out one way or another. It is an unfortunate situation! In this day and age with children as well as adults being hurt from domestic violence, our public leaders should be more thoughtful and careful.

Hiram Monserrate is a lying dirtbag, who beats up women. In short, he’s a perfect politician.

Sorry I insulted dirtbags.

Prosecutors detail case against State Sen. Hiram Monserrate
BY NICOLE BODE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Friday, January 16th 2009, 1:57 PM

Anderson/News
Hiram Monseratte arrives in court Friday.
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It was all an accident, Monserrate sez
City Councilman Monserrate arrested for assault
Embattled state Sen. Hiram Monserrate “violently and viciously” grabbed his bleeding girlfriend’s arm and dragged her from a neighbor’s door as she screamed for help, prosecutors charged Friday.
The scuffle came after Monserrate slashed Karla Giraldo in the face with a broken glass in a fit of jealousy, Domestic Violence bureau chief Scott Kessler said at the lawmaker’s first court appearance since his Dec. 19 arrest.
“She got to the bottom of the stairs … (and) rang a doorbell on the first floor. She was screaming,” Kessler told Queens Criminal Court Judge Joseph Zayas.
“He pulls so hard … there is also an injury on her wrist as a result of the dragging. She said she bruises easily.”
Surveillance videos inside Monserrate’s apartment building caught him manhandling his girlfriend in the hallway, Kessler said.
The scene contradicts Giraldo’s later statements to police, in which she claims her injuries were accidental, he said.
“As I walked down the hallway of the apartment building with Hiram, I refused to go to the hospital, but Hiram insisted that I go for my own good,” Giraldo wrote in a handwritten affidavit his lawyers gave the court.
“Thankfully (he) forced me to go for my own good,” she wrote.
Giraldo – who has not pressed charges – showed up in court with her lawyer to ask the judge to rescind her order of protection against Monserrate.
She was not allowed into the courtroom and did not speak to reporters. The judge upheld the full order of protection.
Monserrate’s lawyers accused prosecutors and police of harassing the victim until she incriminated Monserrate.
Lawyer Irving Seidman accused District Attorney Richard Brown of orchestrating the arrest in retaliation for Monserrate’s prior criticism of the office.
“This is called retribution,” Seidman said.
Monserrate proclaimed his innocence.
“I have said it was an accident, my girlfriend has said it was an accident, and at the end the truth will prevail,” Monserrate said, flanked by two dozen supporters – most of them female.
“The truth is the light and it will protect me.”

For the first time in my life, I actually want to be called for jury duty. I would love to lock this lowlife up.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/nyregion/17monserrate.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion

You have a point Fred. This is politics at its worst! Someone who advocates against domestic violence and is caught on tape dragging his girlfriend but still denies it! WOW! America really is messed up to put up with so many liars!