NYC councilman charged with assaulting girlfriend
By TOM HAYS, AP
NEW YORK — A city councilman is accused of hitting his girlfriend in the face with a broken drinking glass, causing a gash that required 20 stitches to close, authorities say.
Hiram Monserrate was charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon after the fight at Karla Giraldo’s apartment early Friday, the Queens district attorney’s office says.
A prosecutor says Monserrate told police that he tripped while holding a glass of water in his hand and that the glass accidentally hit his girlfriend. Bail has been set at $5,000.
The 41-year-old Monserrate is beginning a term as a state senator next month. Calls and an e-mail to his lawyers weren’t immediately returned.
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