Common Cause/NY Responds to Potential Monserrate Candidacy

NEW YORK, NY (11/21/2019) (readMedia)-- This week Hiram Monserrate opened a campaign committee to explore a potential 2020 run for the Assembly. Monserrate was expelled from the State Senate in 2009 after being convicted of third-degree assault of his then-girl friend. In 2012, he pleaded guilty to felony charges of mail fraud and conspiracy for misusing city tax dollars to help pay for his Senate campaign.

In response, Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY, issued the following statement:

"Hiram Monserrate is not fundamentally disqualified from having a job, but there must be a different standard for the privilege of holding public office. Anyone convicted of felony corruption for stealing taxpayer money, should not have access or control over said money again, for at least ten years. It is also especially disturbing to see anyone enable a man who was ejected by the Senate for dragging his partner through a hallway after brutally attacking her, only to then drive out of his way to a hospital where no one would recognize him so she could get 40 stitches. Queens voters deserve someone worthy of their trust, and the unrepentant Mr. Monserrate has yet to earn it."

State Senator Todd Kaminsky and Assembly Member Catalina Cruz have proposed legislation that would bar someone from holding public office or positions of political party leadership for ten years after a felony conviction.