Legis. Carrié Solages expelled from Nassau Democratic caucus

Nassau County Legis. Carrié Solages, who was arrested last week on charges related to alleged domestic violence, has been stripped of legislative committee assignments and expelled from the Democrats’ caucus.

But as Solages sat silently Monday at his first legislative meeting since the arrest, party leaders said they’re unlikely to replace him as their candidate this fall in his district covering Elmont and Valley Stream.

“I’m here to ensure the community’s interests are best served,” Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs said in a telephone interview. “I haven’t seen or heard anything to indicate Carrié has lost the community’s political support.”

Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) notified Solages in a letter late last week of his expulsion from the caucus.

“It is clear that your continued participation in the Democratic Minority Caucus is no longer appropriate or consistent with our caucus values,” Abrahams wrote Thursday.

On Monday, Solages occupied his usual spot on the dais at the legislature’s Rules Committee meeting, but he was not acknowledged in an attendance roll call and did not speak publicly.

The expulsion means that Solages also can’t use Democrats’ caucus room, isn’t invited to caucus meetings and loses access to staff not working directly for him. He still can participate and vote at full legislative meetings.

Solages declined to comment when he was approached by a reporter after Monday’s meeting.

Republicans have called for Solages’ resignation. The GOP controls the legislature by an 11-7 margin, with one vacancy.

Solages, first elected in 2011, has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from an incident Wednesday at the Valley Stream home where Solages lives with his girlfriend.

The woman told police that Solages grabbed her arm and neck and pushed her into a wall after he “began accusing me of hiding his marijuana,” according to court documents.

Solages has rebuffed calls to resign. Last week, he wrote on Facebook that “I am innocent and will have my day in court.”

Legis. Ellen Birnbaum (D-Great Neck) was expelled for a time in 2014 for making racially insensitive remarks, losing her committee assignments.

Last year, Legis. Laura Curran (D-Baldwin) was barred temporarily from caucus meetings after voting with Republicans to approve borrowing. She kept her committee assignments.

With Robert Brodsky

By Paul LaRocco

paul.larocco@newsday.com@paullarocco

Paul LaRocco is a reporter on the investigations desk. Since starting at Newsday in late 2010, he has also covered Nassau and Suffolk county politics and government and the Town of Oyster Bay.