What began as a typical monthly meeting among Queens' Democratic District Leaders ended with a near-unanimous repudiation of State Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-Corona) on Monday.

County Committee Chair Vivian Cook asked the gathering to adopt a resolution backing U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley's (D-Jackson Heights) foreswearing of Monserrate following his conviction for misdemeanor assault on Oct. 15 for an incident in December.

"His violent behavior was not befitting a public official, and Queens residents deserve the opportunity to elect a new representative. He should close this troubling chapter by immediately resigning his office," Crowley's stated.

All of the 65 district leaders on hand supported Cook's spontaneous proposal.

"People who weren't there called afterwards and asked if they can get their name in on the vote," said the organization Executive Secretary Michael Reich.

District leaders are elected representatives of the borough's Democratic party, with four seats available in each State Assembly district.

The rash of party leaders and elected officials excoriating Monserrate spurred long-time supporter and District Leader Martha Flores-Vazquez to cry foul.

In a two-page statement released Monday night, Vazquez said the calls for Monserrate's ouster are racially motivated, blaming "media bias couched in the guise of legality."

Vazquez could not be reached for comment.

"The racist double-standard being applied to Sen. Monserrate is typical of the way blacks and Latinos have been treated when they don't conform to the standard protocol of politics in America," Vazquez said.

Reich denied any racial motivation, saying the party's ranks represented the most diverse county leadership in the state.

Vazquez's statement went on to claim Latinos and blacks lashing out against Monserrate had an "Uncle Tom mentality."

"Isn't she racist?" Reich asked, pointing to a number of District Leaders who have stood up for racial causes. "She's calling these illustrious elected officials Uncle Tom's?"

Reich said Vazquez's motivations lie with monetary ties to Monserrate. Her group, Community Prevention Alternatives for Families in Crisis, a domestic-violence victims' advocacy group, received $37,500 through a City Council grant sponsored by Monserrate before he moved on to the State Senate.

"[Crowley] held his tongue and waited for the verdict," Reich said. "[Vazquez] was out there as a rah-rah cheerleader for Hiram from the day it started. If she's there at the arraignment supporting him, she's already made up her mind."

The embattled state Senator's personal life may soon take positive turn. Both Monserrate and girlfriend Karla Giraldo's attorneys requested Supreme Court Justice William Erlbaum lift an order of protection that has kept the two apart since December.

Prosecutors reportedly will not block the move, though they may add a caveat, including possible counseling for Monserrate.

Reach Reporter Joseph Orovic at jorovic@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 127.