STATEMENT FROM SENATOR ERIC T. SCHNEIDERMAN ON COURT DECISION
"I am pleased that the Court has upheld the determination of our Committee, rejected Senator Monserrate's claims, and accepted his expulsion by the Senate. It is clear that due process was followed and justice was served.
"An overwhelming majority of Republicans and Democrats from every part of the state came to the conclusion that Senator Monserrate's unlawful conduct damaged the integrity of the Senate, and rendered him unfit to serve.
"It’s time to move forward and get back to the people’s business."
According to a 55-page report issued by the Select Committee chaired by Sen. Schneiderman, the nature and seriousness of Senator Monserrate’s behavior, as demonstrated by the surveillance video and the other unrebutted evidence, showed a reckless disregard for his partner, Karla Giraldo’s well-being and for the severity of her injury. Following the unanimous recommendations of the bipartisan Committee, the full Senate voted 53-8 to remove Senator Monserrate on February 9.
The Senate is granted the ability to remove its members, according to Legislative Law, Section 3, which unambiguously states, "Each house has the power to expel any of its members, after the report of a committee to inquire into the charges against him shall have been made."
The full committee report is available at: www.nysenate.gov/report/report-new-york-state-senate-select-committee-investigate-facts-and-circumstances-surrounding [3]
