A former New York state senator expelled after a domestic violence conviction is now allowed limited contact with his girlfriend.
Hiram Monserrate was convicted of dragging Karla Giraldo through a Queens apartment lobby.
Judge William Erlbaum says the two can have limited contact, but an order of protection remains in place, which forbids Monserrate from assaulting or harassing Giraldo in any manner. Monserrate is still required to continue his anger management sentence while he is on probation.
The couple kissed in the courtroom and left hand in hand on Tuesday.
Giraldo had a cut requiring stitches near her eye from a glass Monserrate was holding on Dec. 19, 2008.
Both said the cut was an accident. They said surveillance footage of him dragging her just showed him taking her to the hospital.
The expelled Democrat got on the special election ballot as an independent, but lost his seat.
