Monday, November 16th 2009, 4:00 AM
After his assault arrest, Sen. Hiram Monserrate was ordered to have no contact with banged-up girlfriend Karla Giraldo - directly or indirectly.
The goal was to protect her and keep him from trying to influence her testimony but, the Daily News has learned, one of Monserrate's best friends arranged security for Giraldo and escorted her to court during the trial.
The arrangement raises questions about whether Monserrate violated the court's protective order and had improper indirect contact with a crucial witness.
Giraldo changed her story after the Dec. 19 incident. First, she told doctors Monserrate attacked her with a broken glass. Later, she told grand jury it was an accident.
Monserrate was cleared of the most serious charges and convicted only of misdemeanor assault for manhandling her out of the apartment to the hospital.
Monserrate spokesman Mike Nieves admitted one of Giraldo's courthouse escorts was Luis Castro, a longtime friend and sometime employee of Monserrate. Sources said Castro and Monserrate often dined with Castro's wife and Giraldo before the assault.
During the trial, one source said, Castro organized rallies ofMonserrate supporters outside Queens Supreme Court and was"the liaison between Monserrate and Karla during the whole trial. ... He was in contact with Monserrate every day."
Another source said Castro arranged for the security detail that surrounded Giraldo when the unemployed journalist arrived to testify in designer sunglasses, a sleek pantsuit and a trendy handbag.
Nieves said Castro denied relaying messages between Monserrate and Giraldo.
Nieves said Castro told him he's known Giraldo, a fellow Ecuadoran, for more than 20 years.
Giraldo's lawyer Glenn Marshall said he believes Castro made Giraldo's security arrangements.
"I don't think that's a violation of the order unless they're communicating through each other and I don't believe that went on," he said.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown has not accused Monserrate of trying to influence Giraldo through a third party.
Spokesman Kevin Ryan said the office was unaware that Giraldo's escorts included the former Monserrate aide.
Sonia Ossorio, president of the city chapter of the National Organization for Women, urged the court to "examine the situation more thoroughly. ... He's a lawmaker and needs to be held to the highest standard."
Castro worked for Monserrate on the City Council from 2002 through February 2007, left briefly but returned in January 2008 and stayed through August 2008, earning $10,000 a year.
On Oct. 19, five days after theverdict in Monserrate's case, Monserrate hired Castro as a $60,000-a-year special assistant to the lawmaker's Senate Consumer Protection Committee, Nieves said. Monserrate faces up to a yearbehind bars when sentenced Dec.4.
The DEA should provide security for the girl, she's a victim, nobody is asking how she make it, how she can pay her bills... doctor...
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