Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Monserrate Corruption Charges May Bring Down Others
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 20, 2010
Modified Oct 20, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Oct 20, 2010
Modified Oct 20, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Ousted State Senator and abusive boyfriend Hiram Monserrate was slapped with mail fraud charges yesterday by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who accuses the down-trending political hack of funneling money meant for a nonprofit into his losing State Senate campaign in 2006. "Worthy nonprofits are supposed to have access to public money because they are meant to be a resource for communities, not a piggy bank for politicians," said Bharara in a statement. "Public officials who act like they are above the law may get away with it for a while, but eventually we will find you and we will prosecute you." Looking on the bright side as he left court yesterday, Monserrate shrugged off the charges as fodder for his memoirs.
Asked by a reporter if he was writing a book, Monserrate replied, "Absolutely! They gave me a couple of more chapters." He spent just ten minutes in the courtroom pleading not guilty and was released on a $500,000 bond secured with his parents' house. One employee of the former now-disbanded nonprofit, Javier Cardenas, pleaded guilty yesterday to mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud—the same charges which Monserrate himself faces. Cardenas is said to be cooperating with prosecutors; each count carries a maximum sentence of twenty years.
The nonprofit group, called LIBRE (short for the Latino Initiative for Better Resources and Empowerment, Inc.), was supposed to help needy immigrants in Queens. Monserrate steered over $2.7 million in taxpayer dollars toward the group during his two terms on the City Council, and prosecutors say he used an untold amount to finance his political campaign between July 2005 and June 2007. $2 million of that was earmarked for a community center, but the Times reports that the money was never disbursed and it was never built. But cue the tiny violins for Monserrate; his lawyer tells the Daily News, "Obviously, he's disappointed to have to go through this again. He's had a rough couple of years."
Monserrate lost that first Senate bid in a primary to State Senator John D. Sabini, but won in 2008 after running unopposed for the same seat. Later that year he was charged with felony assault and slashing his girlfriend with broken glass. Monserrate's former staffer Julissa Ferreras now holds his old Council seat; the two have become enemies, and it's rumored that Ferreras may also face criminal charges. A source close to Monserrate tells the Post he was specifically questioned by the feds about Ferreras, and later said, "I didn't hold back any punches." (That's what she said!)
Tagged
City Council
corruption
hiram monserrate
libre
mail fraud
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .