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.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:09 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:09:32 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
Delta Air Lines is opening a $1.4 billion terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport, strengthening its hand in the battle for the lucrative New York travel market.
Delta Air Lines is opening a $1.4 billion terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport, strengthening its hand in the battle for the lucrative New York travel market.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:25:15 GMT
The engineer of the commuter train that derailed last week in Connecticut observed an "unusual condition" on the track before the wreck, federal officials said Friday.
The engineer of the commuter train that derailed last week in Connecticut observed an "unusual condition" on the track before the wreck, federal officials said Friday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:18:28 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:46 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:46:23 GMT
For the first time in 17 years, millions of cicadas are expected to emerge from the soil in the tristate region this summer. The bug-like creatures are harmless to humans.
For the first time in 17 years, millions of cicadas are expected to emerge from the soil in the tristate region this summer. The bug-like creatures are harmless to humans. Cicadas live in the soil and make a familiar buzzing sound.