Diaz Sr.: "Racist" For Lawmakers To Ask Monserrate To Resign

There's a growing chorus of lawmakers saying that State Senator Hiram Monserrate should step down, now that he's been convicted of a misdemeanor for slashing his girlfriend in the face with a broken glass, but one of Monserrate's Senate colleagues is standing by him. In fact, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. said that these demands are "racist."

MyFoxNY spoke to Diaz (the Bronx lawmaker also made his daily phone call to Monserrate with the cameras rolling), who pointed out that Senators Schumer and Gillibrand—who want Monserrate to resign—are white and therefore, "It's a racist thing." Then Diaz Sr. said, "He was found guilty of trying to do good." The reporter said, "He was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend." Diaz Sr: "Trying to do good." Reporter: "That's trying to do good? Some people would call that domestic violence." Diaz Sr.: "I don't disagree. He was found guilty. But he was forcing his girlfriend to go the hospital."

Well, for what it's worth, State Senator Diaz Sr., State Senator Bill Perkins—who is black—has asked for Monserrate to step down, "The courts have ruled that Mr. Monserrate is guilty of a violent crime against a woman. Domestic violence is far too prevelant(sic) in our society and must not be tolerated or treated lightly."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 20, 2009 2:30 PM

Comments [rss]

carbomb

let's just enjoy the spectacle.

ever wonder what this guy would do for a living if off the public dole?

dadoc

1. It's the parents' fault for naming him Hiram.

2. If nobody's been yanked from the state senate (lowercase on purpose) for 90 years, and they have had members of every ilk, it ain't racism.

3. If they don't dump Hiram the perp, they'll never dump anyone (likely outcome).

4. If he had HUMANE EDUCATION he probably wouldn't be in the position he's in. (sarcasm intended).

5. If Rangel, Diaz and Espada can stay in office, it obviously points toward the fact that the representation of ny state (lowercase on purpose), is nothing but a corrupt political machine, and nothing has changed in the past 200 years.

6. Felix has a crush on Hiram (hates all politicians, but whoooo, such a defense of Hiram!) Defending Hiram=severe derangement.

felixthecat2

What a crazy old man, time for you to take those meds.

Gwinny

http://www.creepygif.com/image.php?i=10

Think2wice

Someone send him a Spanish translation of the word "racist". He no speaka the English.

NannyState

Reuben Diaz needs to find another boyfriend.

Mr Mel

He has already, Felix.

felixthecat2

So Stupid when you are my bitch.

Mr Mel

Brilliant.

potsmoker

all that bozo media hype about the videotape.

the videotape shows him dragging her not attacking her.

once again the prosecutors failed because they tried to win the case in the news not in court.

domestic violence is a bad thing, sure, but you can get the doctors, nurses, cab drivers everyone to testify they will testify based on what they think is the right thing, but the reality is they dont give two craps unless put on the witness stand, their job is fixing up people not fixing up society.

how many DV cases were pleaded down, dismissed etc,

how many cases actually went to court, prob near ZERO.

the queens DA is no hero hes a publicity hound ZERO

longacre

Sgt. Koon: It's all how you look at the video.

Prosecutor: For instance?

Sgt. Koon: Well, if you play it backwards, you see the officers help Mr. King off the ground and send him on his way.

—Bill Hicks' dramatization of the Rodney King beating trial

fauxsella

I don't think Montserrat should resign; I don't think he should be re-elected either. In fact, I think the entire legislature should be abolished, and the legislative process be done by computers. People have proven they cannot be trusted to run this state.

poetofsorts

He was trying to do good? I'm confused.

Also it's not racist. How about all those sentators, govenors, etc that have had affairs and were asked to resign? I can't stand it when people throw the race card out there when there is NO reason to.

MT

Is he serious? Do these people actually hear what comes out of their mouths? Either they are the stupid ones or they simply think we are.

hotstepper

nobody in the Bronx is listening i'll bet.

felixthecat2

nobody in Chelsea listened when they reelected deputy mayor slush fund Queen Christine Quinn so I guess the Bronx doesn't care either. everyone for their own self-interest.

Robot

How is this racist? I thought Hiram Monserrate was white. He sure looks white to me. A big, fat, white slob.

And, this charge of racism is coming from a bigot who's whole career seems to be based on keeping gay marriage from happening.

whitecastlerock

He should resign. He is an abuser of women. His actions were disgusting.

felixthecat2

It's time to move on, regardless of how we disagree with the judge's decision, Monseratte was found NOT GUILTY. It is unfair for them to tell him to resign when he has NO felony convictions. Let the voters decide next year if we want him to serve. What the State should do is ask Bloomberg NOT to run for an ILLEGAL 3RD Term.

PS39Grad

If someone is found not guilty, it doesn't mean they escape responsibility for their actions. For example, OJ was found responsible in civil court for the deaths of his wife and Ron Goldman, even though found not guilty in criminal court.

Similarly, there is no reason Monserrate should escape responsibility under the rules of the legislature or his party, just because he was found not guilty of a felony.

Illegal third term? Stop it.

felixthecat2

His girlfriend has the option to seek civil damages against him but she won't. He is an elected official with no FELONIES and therefore he should retain he seat and the voters can vote him out.

youngpro

Not to mention the basis of this article was that his asking to resign is racist, stay on topic.

felixthecat2

So what does his poll numbers have anything to do with it??? WHY DON'T YOU stay on topic. And the topic is that some of his colleagues want him to resign but he doesn't have to resign. And perhaps some of them are racists, do you know if they aren't? I don't know but I do know he was found not guilty and it is time to move on. I wish Schumer would SAY SOMETHING NEGATIVE ABOUT HIS FRIEND BLOOMBERG BUT HE WON'T. Bloomberg went against 2 public referendums and overturned term limits against the WILL OF THE MAJORITY. Why doesn't Schumer ask Bloomberg not to RUN???? Maybe RACE is a FACTOR with SCHUMER???

Mordicai

Are you seriously telling someone to STAY ON TOPIC? You can't go two lines into a screed without bringing up Bloomburg out of the blue!

youngpro

Simple: Not guilty, fine, I agree, too. But Monserrate's polls have falled, fallen, fallen. He'll NEVER win a third term on the mere basis of negative press.

Oh, and FYI: while he cannot be forced to quit for lack of a felony conviction, he CAN be censured.

felixthecat2

WHAT POLL NUMBERS?????? None were taken. LIAR and full of BS

Mordicai

When you say Not Guilty, how do you uh, justify that? With the guilty verdict I mean. I mean, the one that actually happened. Only a little third degree assault! That he was guilty of.

All I'm saying.

Also, if a third term isn't actually illegal...then it is legal. I think you have some pretty severe misunderstandings of how the law works.

felixthecat2

Hello, do you know how the law works? He was found NOT Guilty of 2 counts of felony assault and was found guilty of 3rd degree assault (misdemeanor). What is ILLEGAL IS deliberately running out the clock to prevent a public referendum and extend you own term against 2 public referendum. THAT IS IMMORAL AND ILLEGAL.

longacre

If he dragged a dog like that you would be calling for the death penalty.

felixthecat2

Asshole, the dog wouldn't testify in court that it was an accident as his girlfriend did. Why even bring a dog into this situation. You're such an ass

longacre

How do you accidentally force someone out of a building and into a car?

felixthecat2

At least read about the case, he never said he accidentally forced out of the building and into the car but that he forced her to go to the hospital because she was afraid of going. That was his and her's story. I don't believe them but he was found NOT GUITY and it is not his colleagues' place to hold their own trial.