Kenneth Moreno's ex-girlfriend says he belongs behind bars

The former girlfriend of ex-cop Kenneth Moreno, one of two NYPD officers recently acquitted of raping a woman in 2008, said he belongs behind bars and lashed out at his treatment of women after the two sparred in court Wednesday.

“He has no respect for women,” Maria Cruz, 35, told amNewYork. “He shouldn’t be around women. He thinks he’s superior to women.”

Cruz, of Staten Island, is trying to win full custody of their 14-year-old daughter. Moreno, 43, was sentenced on Aug. 8 to one year in prison for official misconduct in connection to the rape case. The other accused officer, Franklin Mata, was sentenced to 60 days, also for misconduct.

A jury in May found Moreno not guilty, citing the lack of DNA evidence. A judge, however, sentenced him this month to prison because he admitted to lying in bed with the half-naked woman. He is appealing.

“I am so frustrated. I am not going to be able to pay for my home,” said an emotional Cruz, who was ordered Wednesday by the court to pay more than $700 to Moreno to support their daughter. Her payments had been just $50 a month.

Cruz lost custody of her daughter in 2004, when she didn’t have a job. She’s worked since then, but now she has to cough up more because she has a higher-paying position with the MTA.

Moreno reportedly told a court magistrate Wednesday that he’s having trouble finding work since he was fired from the NYPD and is awaiting jail.

“The MTA is hiring,” Cruz had said. “You might want to try that.”

An attorney for Moreno did not return a call seeking comment. The two are scheduled to appear in family court on Friday.