SENATOR ALESSANDRA BIAGGI ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING THE ALLEGATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST SENATOR LUIS SEPÚLVEDA

BRONX, NY – Today it was reported that New York State Senator Luis Sepúlveda, representing the 32nd Senate District in the Bronx, is facing an allegation of domestic violence. The Senator turned himself in to the police and is being charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, per reports.

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

“Domestic violence happens behind closed doors, but it is not a private matter. Allowing a person who engages in violent acts of systemic misogyny to oversee public policy harms New Yorkers everywhere.

As members of the New York State Legislature, we are entrusted by our constituents to represent and protect our communities. An elected official who engages in any act of violence or abuse betrays that privileged trust and is no longer fit to serve the public. The Bronx deserves leaders who embody the highest levels of integrity, and there must be zero tolerance for violence or abuse of any kind. If this allegation is true, Senator Sepúlveda must resign immediately. 

I extend my gratitude to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her swift response to strip Senator Sepúlveda of his chairmanship and committee assignments. As Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Ethics and Internal Governance, I am committed to take any steps within my jurisdiction to address this matter."

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Survivors of domestic violence can receive support by calling Safe Horizon’s hotline at 1-800-621-4673 or by visiting www.safehorizon.org.