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N.Y. state lawmaker's expulsion urged

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- New York State Sen. Hiram Monserrate should be expelled or stripped of his privileges, a special committee said in a report released Thursday.

The special committee found Monserrate, a Democrat, lied about assaulting his partner, Karla Giraldo, and never apologized for the 2008 attack, The New York Times reported. Monserrate was found guilty last year of misdemeanor assault but acquitted of felony assault.

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"The decisions made that night by Senator Monserrate as to the treatment of someone he ostensibly loved and cared for, were not consistent with the obvious need to obtain swift medical care for an injury of the seriousness of Ms. Giraldo's," the report said. "Whether the senator was worried for his political future or not, the evidence demonstrates both recklessness and callousness."

Monserrate, who represents a district in the New York City borough of Queens, has said he will not step down.

The senator is no stranger to controversy. As a city councilman, he supported a detoxification program created by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Last year, Monserrate and another Democratic senator threw the state senate into chaos when they briefly switched to the Republican Party, changing the balance of power.

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