Senate Committee to Investigate Monserrate: Source
The panel will have subpoena power
By TIM MINTON
Updated 6:00 PM EST, Mon, Oct 19, 2009
Senator Hiram Monserrate will be investigated by a special bi-partisan committee of fellow senators following his conviction last week on charges of assaulting his girlfriend, a source in Albany said.
Senate Majority Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon, when he will make a formal announcement, the source told NBCNewYork.
Sen. Monserrate (D-East Elmhurst) was convicted last week of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend in an incident last December. He faces up to a year in jail. But the senator was acquitted of more serious felony charges that could have automatically cost him his senate seat.
The special committee, which will have subpoena power, could recommend sanctions including Monserrate's expulsion from the senate, the source says.
Monserrate Chief of Staff Wayne Mahlke said late Monday that the senator would have no immediate comment on the new investigation.
Senate leaders in both political parties have been under intense pressure to throw the East Elmhurst senator out of office since his conviction. New State Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs told the New York Post in Monday's edition that Monserrate "absolutely should be ousted if he doesn't resign." Five Democratic senators from around the State had said since Friday that they would vote to expel him.
Meantime, Monserrate has faced calls from Democrats and Republican colleagues to step down.
First Published: Oct 19, 2009 4:40 PM EST
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