Judge won’t block expulsion of New York state lawmaker convicted of assault

Judge upholds expulsion of convicted NY senator

NEW YORK — A federal judge has rejected an attempt to temporarily block the expulsion of a New York state lawmaker.

Colleagues voted to remove Hiram Monserrate (MAHN’-sur-aht) because of a misdemeanor assault conviction.

Judge William Pauley refused Friday to block the Democrat’s expulsion.

A civil rights suit filed last week asked Pauley to reverse the lawmaker’s removal and stop a March 16 special election to replace him.

He’s backed by the New York Civil Liberties Union. Monserrate says the state Senate denied him due process and his constituents their right to representation.