Allegations put future of Mejias' career in jeopardy

Once Democrat David Mejias was arrested on charges of stalking and harassing a former girlfriend, the sensible question was not whether, but when, he would drop his State Senate bid.

Election aside, the misdemeanor allegations - which he refutes - continue to pose a risk to Mejias' career. After all, they involve exactly the kind of facts and issues he handles in his day job as a divorce lawyer.

Friends argue that Mejias' profession means he'd know better than most where the legal lines were drawn during his widely reported roadside confrontation, so the charges should be regarded skeptically.

The firm he founded, Mejias Milgrim & Alvarado, with offices in Hempstead and Glen Cove, posts a biography of the ex-Nassau legislator on its website. "As a legislator and in the practice of law," it says, "David has fought for the rights of victims of domestic violence."

The practice deals with domestic violence cases - along with adultery, child custody, spousal support, orders of protection and related areas.

The morning of his arraignment, Mejias had been scheduled to hold a news conference in Mineola underscoring women's support, featuring members of NARAL Pro-Choice New York and Planned Parenthood of Nassau County. It instantly became the most conspicuously canceled event of the primary season.

Mejias had the option of announcing Thursday's withdrawal and endorsement of candidate Francesca Carlow by news release or e-mail. But his public persona makes it easy to see why he chose to talk into the news cameras and distance himself from suggestions that he committed domestic abuse.

"This was a brief verbal dispute in which there was no physical injury, no physical contact and no property damage," he said. "No one was run off the road or chased out of their car."

He apologized for saying "hurtful and even immature things." But said: "Any inference that this incident involved domestic violence is categorically wrong."

Domestic violence emerged this year as a third rail in state politics.

First-term state Sen. Hiram Monserrate of Queens was expelled from his seat after a famously bloody incident involving a longtime live-in companion, for which he was convicted of a misdemeanor . . To handle the Mejias case as a special prosecutor, Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice tapped Scott Kessler, the domestic violence bureau chief for the Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, who had also prosecuted Monserrate.

For his defense, Mejias retained Oscar Michelin, whose other clients have included David W. Johnson, the aide to Gov. David A. Paterson charged with misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend.

Before this campaign Mejias - long regarded as a top prospect by county Democrats - was on an electoral skid. In 2006, he lost a widely hyped challenge to Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), 56 to 43 percent. In 2007, he survived a close challenge to his legislative seat by Republican Joe Belesi - but lost the rematch to him last year.

The outcome of Mejias' case will be watched. For the moment, the beneficiary may be veteran Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) - despite the perennial chant of some Nassau Democrats: "This is the year we can beat Hannon."