Hiram Monserrate, a former New York City councilman and state senator, will spend up to two years in federal prison for funneling more than $100,000 of taxpayer money into his campaign for state Senate.
Monserrate, 45, a Democrat from Queens, pleaded guilty in May to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of mail fraud in connection with the scheme to divert City Council discretionary funds, which are meant for community programs, through a nonprofit and into his failed bid for Senate in 2006, officials said.
U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon on Tuesday sentenced the disgraced former Marine and ex-NYPD cop to 24 months in prison and ordered him to pay $79,434 in restitution, according to Rose Gill Hearn, the commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation.
"Hiram Monserrate was undone by his greed and now will pay the price. He used a nonprofit's money to serve his own political career rather than his constituency and with today's prison sentence will forfeit his freedom," Hearn said in a statement. "DOI and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York will continue to safeguard public funds and ensure that individuals who squander them, particularly elected officials, are held accountable."
Although he lost the 2006 Senate primary, he eventually won election to the Senate in 2008. A few weeks after the election, Monserrate was arrested on charges the slashed his girlfriend's face during an argument.
A judge eventually acquitted him on the felony counts but convicted him on a misdemeanor assault charge for dragging her by her arm through his apartment building to get her to the hospital.
In early 2010, the Senate voted to expel Monserrate.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:30 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:30:40 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
A train derailed in one of the East River tunnels Monday afternoon, disrupting service on the Long Island Rail Road. Westbound service between Jamaica and Penn Station is temporarily suspended.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:36 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:36:36 GMT
Five passengers from a New York bound EgyptAir flight diverted to a Scottish airport over an apparent threat to destroy the aircraft are now seeking asylum in Britain, authorities said.
Five passengers from a New York bound EgyptAir flight diverted to a Scottish airport over an apparent threat to destroy the aircraft are now seeking asylum in Britain, authorities said.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:21:23 GMT
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:02 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:02:34 GMT
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:53:56 GMT
This is the best Father's Day gift that a dad could get: the gift of life. A young father from Queens needed a kidney, and his 55-year-old father donated his.
This is the best Father's Day gift that a dad could get: the gift of life. A young father from Queens needed a kidney, and his 55-year-old father donated his.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:42:53 GMT
A line of thunderstorms caused some damage and street flooding in New Jersey on Thursday, but the threat of longer, widespread heavy rain and flooding in the tristate area has diminished.
A line of thunderstorms caused some damage and street flooding in New Jersey on Thursday, but the threat of longer, widespread heavy rain and flooding in the tristate area has diminished.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:15:30 GMT
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:02:05 GMT
Bargain hunters from around the world flock to Manhattan's Chinatown for bags, jewelry and other accessories bursting onto sidewalks from storefronts along Canal Street.
Bargain hunters from around the world flock to Manhattan's Chinatown for bags, jewelry and other accessories bursting onto sidewalks from storefronts along Canal Street.
Hiram Monserrate (file photo)
