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Did This Senator Beat Up His Girlfriend?
A New York state senator faces felony charges for allegedly slashing his girlfriend’s face—and some of the assault was caught on camera. So why is he still welcome in the state senate—and why are Democrats still holding fundraisers for him?
Which is worse: political leaders remaining silent about a colleague who slashes his girlfriend’s face, or political leaders actively funding and supporting the criminal slasher? Well, in the Empire State, we have both!
In the past few months, our country has witnessed two high-profile cases of violence against women—Chris Brown’s alleged assault of Rihanna and the beheading of Aasiya Hassan. In the aftermath, advocates for reducing domestic violence saw a ray of hope: Could our country finally start a much-needed dialogue about violence against women, bring it into the light of day, and work toward solutions? When New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) was indicted and arraigned last week on six counts of assault for allegedly beating up his girlfriend, we stepped back into the darkness.
At least four security cameras in the Jackson Heights apartment building where the incident allegedly occurred caught parts of the attack on tape.
Members of the Democratic Party should have demanded that Monserrate step down immediately. Instead, not only have the Democrats in the New York State Senate stayed silent, they are also working to establish a legal defense fund for Monserrate.
Violence against women is wrong. It’s a despicable crime. Criminals who hurt women should be punished. So why is New York, purported state of enlightenment and sophistication, being so cowardly? Where is the national outrage?
As with many perpetrators of violence, Hiram Monserrate’s indictment did not come without warning. Monserrate has a history of mental-health problems. In 1999, he claimed to be suffering psychological problems as a New York City Police Department officer, writing: "I suffer with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder." After an assessment by the NYPD’s psychological-services unit, Monserrate was forced to relinquish his gun. In 2001, trouble continued when Monserrate was arrested after allegedly using his car to run over the leg of a tow-truck operator who was attempting to tow away his car; the charges were later dropped.
Hiram Monserrate’s alleged assault of his girlfriend in December 2008 is a familiar tune. Man beats up woman in a jealous rage. Woman goes to hospital. Woman tells police that her intimate partner did this to her. Man is arrested. Woman recants statement, says it was an accident. Woman tries to drop charges.
But there was a difference this time: At least four security cameras in the Jackson Heights apartment building where the incident allegedly occurred caught parts of the attack on tape. The cameras recorded Monserrate in the second-floor hallway outside his apartment, allegedly yelling at his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo, about having another man’s police card, then throwing the card and his girlfriend’s handbag down the trash chute. Cameras then show Monserrate pulling his girlfriend down the stairs. Another camera recorded the girlfriend frantically knocking on her neighbor’s door. Finally, a camera recorded Monserrate grabbing his girlfriend’s arm and dragging her out of the apartment building as she tries to hold on to the door. At the hospital, Monserrate's girlfriend was given 20 to 25 stitches above the eye for a slash made by broken glass. (Davidson Goldin, a spokesperson for the senator, says both have since called it an accident.)
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Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
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As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Granite
Thank you Amy Siskind for bringing this important story to light. I am utterly shocked.
I'll be spending the day doing more research into the details and sending hasty, nasty emails to everyone involved.
Kirbonicus
How did this guy get elected in the first place? Was his questionable past not looked into?
And surprise, surprise... a former cop. As with politicians, those who want to police should NEVER be Police. Power corrupts every time, especially to those who seek it out. Anyone who wants to be a cop should never, never, never be a cop (and the same with policy makers).
Kirbonicus
Wow... he's a former cop? Go figure...
ritamary
What a bunch of spineless cowards the members of the New York State Legislature are. But it is no surprise to hear that politics trumps women's rights. Wasn't that idea reinforced during our recent presidential primaries?
Women of the United States, we make up more than half of the electorate in this country! Individuals like Monserrate belong in jail, not in elected office!
DawnAquarius
Absolutely Pathetic. Thankfully we have people who care enough to actively pursue a solution to the problem. Forgive them Lord, they do know what they do, but they are BEASTS!
beegirl
what has happened to the Democrats? This was supposed to be the party that represents women!! And they're raising money for this sleazeball's legal defense? That't the last straw. After the way that the Democrats spewed sexist venom during the campaign and now this garbage, I'm done forever with Democrats. They can rot!!!!
ceelaa
I can't believe he is allowed to stay in office! Why is beating a woman up a partisan issue? I don't care what party he is in, he has to go. Now Dem Senators are helping him raise money for legal fees? Don't they understand how bad that makes them look? Everyone is always talking about reaching across the aisle and working together, I'd like to see them start with getting rid of this guy. How could any of the Senators justify being on his side? Who is on the victim's side? Thanks for drawing attention to this situation. It's disgusting.
rpmosby
This is horrifying. Why didn't I know about it? Was it in The NY Times? Granted, I haven't read it in a few days. I know the Beast isn't an advocacy group, but I think it would be reasonable to provide links for those of us who live in the state to send our grievances (or support, for those who wish to support abuse) on to our elected officials.
SherylRobinson
The New Agenda's work to date on the Monserrate story can be found here: http://thenewagenda.net/2009/03/31/the-facts-on-hiram-monserrate-%E2%80%94- his-history-of-mental-health-problems-his-indictment-for-the-felony-assault -of-girlfriend-karla-giraldo-and-his-continued-role-as-a-ny-state-senator/
Hawnzz
I don't think violence against women is any worse then violence against men. (The sexist issue is just dumb.) That said, things like this... what do you say. Could he be any more Hollywood cliche'? Why would she go out with him? How did he get elected? Why isn't he in jail?
Somebody... let me know!
sfbabe1
It is shocking. Makes one wonder... "So why is New York, purported state of enlightenment and sophistication, being so cowardly?" What is the real agenda of the NY Democrats?
Why would Democrats raise money for such an obvious problem? Where is the moral outrage?
Oh well...just a little domestic disagreement? He's a SLASHER.
muirwoods
The house and senate are full of guys like this. They get elected because we vote for them without knowing anything about them and because we usually have just two choices - bad and worse. Don't you ever wonder why the world is so screwed up? With few exceptions, the people in power are interested in one thing only - THEMSELVES!
MTFinch
Well, at least he isn't a tax cheat, right? Oh wait, that gets ignored as well. I guess that once these guys are on the team, they get a pass - regardless of how obviously criminal they are.
SherylRobinson
"I don't think violence against women is any worse then violence against men. (The sexist issue is just dumb.)"
Hey, Hawnzz - what are the statistics on women being hospitalized and/or murdered by their intimate partners, vs. men being hospitalized and/or murdered by their domestic partners?
Are they about the same, d'ya think?
shortcourse
Of course the Dems raise money for him. This ain't about being lewd and crude. This is about power! Criminals love being in control and having power over others. Do you think it's going to get any better with the dumming down of the voter base?
Thank you.
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