By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — A committee led by Manhattan State Sen. Eric Schneiderman deemed Sen. Hiram Monserrate unfit to represent New York on Thursday and recommended a vote to remove the Queens official from office.
The nine-member panel was formed to explore whether Monserrate, who was convicted of misdemeanor assault last year after he slashed his girlfriend’s face with a piece of glass, should be allowed to retain his State Senate seat.
"The nature and seriousness of Senator Monserrate's conduct, as demonstrated by the surveillance video and the other unrebutted evidence, showed a reckless disregard for his partner, Karla Giraldo's well-being and for the severity of her injury," the report reads.
"The Committee concluded that Senator Monserrate’s misconduct damages the integrity and the reputation of the New York State Senate and demonstrates a lack of fitness to serve in this body."
Schneiderman said during a press conference that Monserrate’s lack of credibility when it came to his account of the domestic dispute — which he said was an accident — contributed to the committee’s findings.
“The Select Committee recommends that Senator Monserrate be sanctioned by the full Senate, and that the Senate vote to impose one of two punishments: expulsion, or in the alternative, censure with revocation of privileges."
"The Select Committee recommends that the full Senate convene to consider, debate and vote on both resolutions as soon as reasonably possible.”
Civil Rights lawyer Norman Siegel may take up Monserrate's case, according to the Daily News.
"We met yesterday, but we didn't make any commitment yet," Siegel told the News. "We discussed whether or not the state Legislature could expel him, and I don't believe they have the constitutional right to do that."
