NY Senate committee holds hearing on Monserrate

NEW YORK CITY -- The New York Senate is holding hearings on whether a state senator convicted of assaulting his girlfriend should remain in office.

Sen. Hiram Monserrate was sentenced this month to probation for injuring his girlfriend by dragging her through his apartment lobby in December 2008. He could have been sent to jail for up to a year on the misdemeanor assault conviction.

The hearing on Tuesday is looking into whether he is fit to remain in the Legislature. Some lawmakers and other public officials have called for Monserrate's resignation.

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