Queens, NEW YORK

CONVICTED
On October 15, Queens State Senator Hiram Monserrate, 43 (D) was convicted of misdemeanor assault for causing injury to his girlfriend after a trial before Justice William M. Erlbaum.

In a somewhat lurid bench trial that featured video of the state senator dragging his girlfriend through the lobby of her apartment building, and contradictory testimony by the woman, the state Senator denied deliberately cutting her face on a glace. She required 20 stitches to her face.

Had he been convicted of the felony charges, Monserrate, a former NYPD cop and City Councilman, would have automatically lost his seat. Albany leaders are considering action against him. Monserrate was one of three Democratic senators who briefly switched to help Republicans briefly gain control of the Senate.

He represents the 13th District which includes the Queens neighborhood of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Woodside.