Monserrate Accuses Sabini Staffer of Anti-Immigrant Comments
Here’s City Councilman Hiram Monserrate talking about a letter he wrote to state Senator John Sabini, a fellow Queens Democrat, criticizing a member of Sabini’s staff for allegedly making anti-immigrant comments at a recent public meeting in Queens.
It should be noted that there's some history here. Monserrate narrowly lost to Sabini in 2006 primary for the Senate seat, and is eyeing another run against him. The Sabini staffer accused of making the remarks, Marlene Tapper, lost a Council primary to Monserrate in 2005.
Sabini's office did not want to respond Monserrate's accusations before watching this video. I've sent it to them, and I haven't heard back.
Does anyone know anything else about this?
UPDATE: A spokesman for Sabini emailed this statement from the state Senator: "My office has responded to Councilman Monserrate's letter regarding my staff member. Her alleged comments were not made in the official capacity of my office, and I have taken the appropriate steps to ensure that such an incident does not occur in the future. Anyone who looks at my record, both legislatively and in the community, will easily see that I have been a strong supporter for the rights of immigrants and the gay and lesbian population and have fought against bigotry my entire life. It's a shame that when there are so many important issues facing New Yorkers, like a possible fare hike and hard economic times, that Councilman Monserrate is spending his time instead on an effort to smear one of my staff members for political gain."
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Look at his eyes. He's completely full of bull-doody. I've made it clear that I don't like either one of these buffoons, but Hiram's cheapening himself by getting involved in stupid crap like this.
Marlene Tapper prides herself as a Caribbean-American, being that both of her parents are from the island of Barbados; and given that she spent lots of time there in her youth. As far as I have heard, she grew up there. Plus she is very active in Carib-American circles, both politically and socially. Hiram is stooping to a new low on this one; he doesn't have to defile others to win his race against Sabini. If he keeps this up, there will be a backlash; marlene does have friends in politics. Plus she and her relatives have lived in this community for over a quarter century.
Doesn't Sabini have an Egyptian on his staff among other different backgrounds? I think these accusations are unfounded.
This guy is unbelievable. Anybody who has been paying attention knows that Senator Sabini has been one of the only sane ones defending immigrants and pushing back against the Republican race baiting that surrounded the recent driver's license debate. Unlike the Republicans, Hiram is not good at smear campaign. You would think that he would have learned a thing or two when he attended all those GOP fund raisers.
Apparently Hiram's learned absolutely nothing from Grandpa Joe Bruno. Nice of him to keep going back to that same tired old trope that lost him the last election. Heads up, everyone! Hiram's trying to lose another senate race!
That may all be true BUT "...her alleged comments were not made in the official capacity of my office..." is a pretty weak defense if the comments were at all offensive.
Its so funny that the Councilman forgot to mention the meeting never occurred and was cancelled. I guess he has never been good with accountability or accurate details.
I guess your Republian training isn't paying off.
Montserate is a dirty lying Republican shill, but since Tapper is starking raving mad, the accusation may indeed be credible. Sabini's response seems to indicate that he agrees.
No one should take offensive remarks lightly
EVEN if directed toward drunk drivers who happen to also be State Senators. Hey John your friend in rehab will vote for you.
I heard that there were atleast 4 independent witnesses to the tirade including the dude from DYCD--lets get him on the record AZI!
Tapper is cracked out. I've seen her at community board meetings and she thinks she owns the place or something and her boss sabini is a drinking and driving a godamn billboard around queens pretending to do community service. I dont' know much about Monserate but I hope somebody takes sabini out.