Monserrate Undeterred by Calls to Step Aside

ALBANY—There's a formal action afoot against Councilman Hiram Monserrate, the state senator-elect who was accused Friday of beating his girlfriend.

State Senator Marty Golden, a Brooklyn Republican who has been quoted blasting Monserrate, is circulating a resolution for senators to "express their strong advice that Senator elect Monserrate shall not sit with the body until the criminal charge pending against him is finally disposed of."

Wayne Mahlke, a Monserrate spokesman, said that Monserrate "still stands 100 percent" behind his state intention to serve.

"The response the councilman has been getting from other people and constituents is very supportive," Mahlke said. "We run under the presumption of innocent until proven guilty in this country."

A fuller statement put out by Golden this afternoon is below. It's not clear who else, if anyone, has signed on.

Whereas members of the New York State Senate should aspire to the highest standards of personal and moral conduct; and

Whereas Senate members should, by their conduct, serve as examples to the citizens of the State; and

Whereas Hiram Monserrate, a New York State Senator Elect, has been charged with feloneous assault in an alleged incident of domestic violence; and

Whereas Senator elect Monserrate  would be expelled from the Senate pursuant to law if he is convicted of a felony; and

Whereas Hiram Monserrate has until January 30, 2009 to file his oath of office without forfeiting his Senate seat; and

Whereas the public interest demands that Senator elect Monserrate not sit with the body until the serious criminal charge pending against him is resolved; and

Whereas the Legislative Law provides that the Senate may expel any member after a committee shall have investigated the charges against the senator; now therefore be it

Resolved that the members of the New York State Senate hereby express their strong advice that Senator elect Monserrate shall not sit with the body until the criminal charge pending against him is finally disposed of; and be it further

Resolved that a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution be delivered to Hiram Monserrate.