Hiram Monserrate

Who is Hiram Monserrate?

Hiram Monserrate is a former member of the New York State Senate. He represented the 13th District which includes the Queens neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Woodside. He was expelled by the New York State Senate on February 9, 2010 in connection with a misdemeanor assault conviction.

Previously, he was member of the New York City Council representing District 21 covering an area similar to the 13th Senate District. He had served as Co-chair of the City Council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus and as chairman of the Veterans Committee on the Council. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is a former Marine and New York City police officer.

On March 23, 2009, a grand jury indicted Monserrate on three felony and three misdemeanor charges, in connection with a December 19, 2008 injury to his girlfriend. He was convicted on October 15, 2009 of one count of misdemeanor assault, and acquitted of two counts of felony assault and one other count of misdemeanor assault. He was later sentenced to three years probation, 250 hours of community service, and one year of domestic abuse counseling. A committee of the State Senate made disciplinary recommendations to the entire Senate for his censure or expulsion. The State Senate voted to expel Monserrate.