National Organization for Women-NYS Demands No Legislator Fund for Monserrate

Public Officials are Not Elected to Fund Alleged Abusers or their Behavior

ALBANY, NY (03/30/2009)(readMedia)-- The National Organization for Women-NYS is appalled to learn that Democrats in the New York State Legislature are poised to establish a fund for financing Senator Hiram Monserrate's legal fees. Senator Monserrate has been indicted on three class D felony charges and three misdemeanors for allegedly beating his girlfriend in December of 2008.

NOW-NYS President Marcia Pappas states "We are calling upon Senator Monserrate to disclose whether or not he has used or authorized the use of campaign funds for any attorneys, public relations firms, or investigations in relation to his arrest. We further demand a detailed report of all expenses paid out of the Monserrate campaign since his financial filing of January 2009."

"Perhaps the Legislators," Pappas continued, " would be could better off helping the victims of domestic violence or investigating the thousands of New York fathers not paying child support to the women who are raising their children."

Previous NOW-NYS releases have decried Monserrate's being permitted to retain his Senatorial seat in the wake of such egregious charges.