NY Senate set to vote on expelling Democratic lawmaker convicted of misdemeanor assault

NY Senate to vote on ousting convicted lawmaker

ALBANY, N.Y — The New York Senate is set to vote on expelling a senator convicted of misdemeanor assault.

The Senate’s Democratic majority agreed to set a vote Tuesday night on the fate of Sen. Hiram Monserrate (mahn-suh-RAHT’). The Queens Democrat was convicted of dragging his girlfriend through his apartment lobby but acquitted of a felony. A felony conviction would have automatically cost him his job.

After meeting behind closed doors for more than five hours, the Senate Democratic Conference agreed to put forth two resolutions to the full Senate. One of them calls for Monserrate’s immediate expulsion, the other to expel him by June 30 or following his criminal appeal.

Democrats declined to consider a motion to simply censure him.

Monserrate has said he’s not leaving but declined to comment Tuesday evening.