Four members of the Senate’s Special Committee of Inquiry investigating the conduct of Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, defended their ability to serve impartially this evening after a letter from Monserrate’s lawyer alleged they were “predisposed against” his client. The committee has been convened to review Monserrate’s domestic-violence case and determine whether his conviction on a misdemeanor assault charge last month warrants sanction or expulsion from the Senate. 

   Joseph Tacopina, Monserrate’s lawyer, charged that there are conflicts or interest and appearances of impropriety involving the following senators: Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers; Toby Stavisky, D-Queens; Diane Savino, D-Staten Island; and Catharine Young, R-Olean, Cattaraugus County.

   Tacopina wrote that Stewart-Cousins was quoted in the media as saying calls for Monserrate to resign were “appropriate.” The senator said she was responding at the time to a reporter’s question about another senator’s comments on the issue. She said she will be fair and “deliberative” as a member of the panel.

   As for Savino, the letter alleged that she “vociferously labeled him a ‘criminal.’” Savino denied the charge. “I reserve the term criminal for another member of the body, who shall remain nameless,” she said.

   The letter cited Young’s sponsorship on a resolution in January to bar Monserrate from the chamber and Stavisky’s son’s job as partner a political consulting firm that represents a declared candidate against Monserrate as reasons they should not be on the panel. Both senators said the allegations that they would not be fair and unbiased were unfounded.

   Tacopina said the Senate “appears to lack standing to review Senator Monserrate’s conduct in this matter, as such conduct predated his oath and service as a Senator.” Nevertheless, Monserrate has agreed to cooperate in the investigation. 

   Committee Chairman Eric Schneiderman, D-Manhattan, said he would like to have a second committee meeting in the next few weeks and have the panel complete its report and make a recommendation to the Senate by the end of the year. It will be up to the full Senate to decide whether to take any action against Monserrate.

   Sen. Andrew Lanza, R-Staten Island, said committee members “are appreciative of the sensitive nature of this task as well as our responsibility.”

   “The task before us is not a pleasant one. We understand that our client here is the integrity of the Senate as well as the public trust,” he said.

   Had Monserrate been convicted on either of two felony counts he was charged with, he would have automatically lost his seat.  

   Other members of the committee are Sens. John Flanagan, R-Suffolk County; James Alesi, R-Perinton, Monroe County; and Ruth Hassell-Thompson, D-Mount Vernon, Westchester County. Hassell-Thompson was not at today’s meeting because she is out of the country, according to Schneiderman.