Councilman Arrested for Domestic Violence

New York, NY —

A Queens Councilman has been charged with assault, after he brought his girlfriend to a hospital early this morning seeking treatment for cuts around her eye.

Councilman Hiram Monserratte is to become a state senator next month. He was praised for his service by his council colleagues, during their last meeting of the year yesterday.

Speaker Christine Quinn says the allegations of domestic violence are "deeply disturbing."

QUINN: When that crime is perpetrated the individual who commits it needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law regardless of any position that individual might hold.

REPORTER: Police officials say it looked like Monseratte's girlfriend was punched or slashed around the left eye with a piece of glass. They say her cuts took 20 to 40 stitches to close.