Albany Watch

Add Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport, Monroe County, to the list of political leaders who want Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, to resign after he was found guilty earlier this month of misdemeanor assault involving his girlfriend.

“As a co-author of the Violence Against Women Act, I find it offensive that Sen. Monserrate has not already resigned, “ Slaughter said in a statement this afternoon.

“Domestic violence is unacceptable from anyone, let alone from an elected official of the State of New York. Sen. Monserrate should resign immediately for this serious offense, and if he does not, he should be removed from office by the Senate.”

Monserrate drew strong criticism from good-government groups this week after it was reported that he has set up a legal defense fund and that it was allowed by the Legislative Ethics Commission.

“Secretly authorizing a private legal defense fund is beyond outrageous, even by Albany standards,” said NYPIRG’s Blair Horner. “We see no legal basis for ignoring the gift ban law and allowing wealthy individuals to pay a legislator’s legal bills. The Legislative Ethics Commission has conspired to create a million-dollar loophole in the gift ban.”

But the Legislative Ethics Commission put out a statement late yesterday saying it never authorized the defense fund.

“By statute, opinions of the Legislative Ethics Commission are confidential. Such confidentiality ensures that individuals subject to our jurisdiction seek guidance and advice from the Commission with respect to the laws we administer,” the statement reads.

“Consistent with the statute, the Commission does not comment as to whether a particular individual has requested, or has opted not to request, an advisory opinion. In addition, the law clearly provides that advisory opinions issued by the Commission or its predecessor committee are binding on the Commission only with respect to the individual requesting the opinion. Consequently individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission are encouraged to seek advisory opinions specific to their circumstances.”

“With respect to the issue of legal defense funds, the Legislative Ethics Commission, established in 2007, has received no requests and issued no opinions regarding such funds. Further no member of the Commission either as a member of this body or as a member of its predecessor Committee, has ever considered the issue of legal defense funds.”

 Print This Post |  Email This Post