POL FACES WIFE-CHOKE RAP
Bronx Sen. Sepulveda removed from crime-panel posts
ALBANY — Bronx Sen. Luis Sepulveda is facing domestic violence charges for allegedly choking his wife during an argument.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) announced Tuesday that Sepulveda was immediately removed as chairman of the chamber’s Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee and was being taken off other committee assignments.
“I take these allegations extremely seriously and will be monitoring this situation closely,” Stewart-Cousins said in a statement.
Sepulveda, who joined the Senate in 2018 and is running for Bronx borough president, turned himself in at the 48th Precinct stationhouse on Tuesday and is awaiting arraignment, police said.
The 56-year-old senator allegedly got into a physical fight with his wife inside their West Farms home about 5:45 a.m. last Saturday. He allegedly put his hands around her neck and choked her, according to sources familiar with the complaint.
Sepulveda also filed a complaint against his wife, claiming that she punched him while he was in the bathroom getting ready for work on the same morning.
His wife, 40, has charged with a crime.
Sepulveda took part in a candidate forum with other Bronx borough president prospects the evening that the alleged choking took place.
It’s not the first time the Bronx Democrat’s actions have drawn the attention of law enforcement.
In 2015, Sepulveda’s estranged wife sought an order of protection from him following an argument.
Elizabeth Sepulveda, who at the time was separated from her husband, called 911 during the fight not been
and told officers from the 48th Precinct that she wanted an order of protection, records show.
The matter was referred to Family Court and the couple both insisted that the argument never turned violent.
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (D-Bronx), who is one of several candidates competing against Sepulveda for Bronx beep, called for the senator’s resignation.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time allegations of domestic violence have been brought against Senator Sepulveda,” she tweeted. “We need leadership that empowers women — I’m calling for the Senator to submit his resignation.”
Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt (R-Lockport) slammed Sepulveda over the allegations and attacked Dems over criminal justice reforms passed in recent years.
“As chair of the Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee, Sen. Sepulveda has an obligation to protect vulnerable individuals,” he said in a statement. “Instead, he has advanced harmful policies that have made it more difficult for our law enforcement officials to do their jobs, and made our communities less safe.
“As an alleged abuser himself, he has no right leading that committee, and these allegations must be promptly investigated. If these allegations are true, he should resign immediately.”
Sepulveda did not return a call for comment.