Lawmakers Expel N.Y. State Senator Over Assault

[The Northerner]

Source: New York Times

ALBANY — The New York State Senate on Tuesday night expelled a senator convicted of assaulting his companion, the first time a member of the Legislature was forced from office in nearly a century.

Hiram Monserrate, a Democrat from Queens, was convicted last fall of misdemeanor assault after a fight with his companion, Karla Giraldo, that left her with a deep gash on her face, though he was acquitted of more serious felony assault charges.

Rather than bringing a close to Mr. Monserrate’s legislative career, the expulsion could be the beginning of a lengthy fight that would play out in the courts and create further instability in the already volatile political atmosphere in Albany.

As the Senate moved forward with a vote, Mr. Monserrate’s lawyers were drafting a temporary restraining order seeking to have him reinstated. One of the lawyers, Norman Siegel, said the order would be filed Wednesday in federal court in Manhattan.

“This case raises substantial questions concerning what a constitutional democracy is all about,” Mr. Siegel said. “The New York State Senate does not have the constitutional and legal authority to expel Senator Monserrate. And even if they did, their actions have not been consistent with due process of law.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/nyregion/10hiram.html

[mitchtv]

1. Isn't he one of the treacherous Dems who voted

down equal marriage rights

[aquart]

2. That, too?

He's one of the treacherous Dems who went over to the other side and staged a power coup which the intransigent Dems finally foiled by sheer stubbornness.

Kicking him out is the least that worm deserves.

[TheWraith]

5. Yes, he was. nt

[Libertas1776]

3. Good!

Screw that girlfriend beating, corrupt party turncoat.

[Ken Burch]

6. Screw that GAYBASHING, girlfriend beating, corrupt party turncoat.

BTW...are the NY 'Pugs crazy enough to let him run next time on THEIR line if he gets expelled? Does the guy retain enough personal popularity to pull off a win as a 'Pug if they DID do that?

(You'd have to think he'd be thinking about it.)

[Lil Missy]

4. Throw his ass out. n/t

[Carnage251]

7. Good Riddance

:kick:

[Historic NY]

8. The NY Jackass's they all have to go.....

[rpannier]

9. I'm not sure he has much legal ground to stand on

The SCOTUS has ruled that the Senate and House set the rules on who can sit in and who can't
I realize their ruling was in regard to the US Senate, but I can't see why it wouldn't extend to the state legislatures, unless there is an explicit rule governing it in the State Constitution

[ananda]

10. Boy Albany's a MESS!

I predict some huge wins for Reeps in Nov 10.

Sad days.