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A community leader co-hosting a toy giveaway with embattled state Sen. Luis Sepulveda erroneously let fly during the event Friday that the Bronx pol has confessed to beating his wife.
“I don’t applaud domestic violence because I’ve been a victim myself,” said Rev. Carmen Hernandez, a tenant leader who introduced Sepulveda at the mask and toy drive in Soundview, according to a video account of the event recorded by Bronx 12 TV.
“But when a person admits it, which a lot of people don’t do, is, is they don’t admit what they do and he has,” Hernandez said.
A startled Sepulveda, who was standing just feet from Hernandez, grabbed the mic and sought to clean up the public relations debacle at a toy drive. He said he never admitted to anything and denied engaging in domestic violence.
“I’m compelled to clarify something, First of all, this is for the kids today. This is a wonderful event,” the senator said.
“I don’t know if the reverend misspoke. I have not admitted to any acts of domestic violence. Let’s make that clear because I have not. We’ll deal with that in some other forum, but right now it’s really about the children,” Sepulveda said.
Sepulveda, 56, turned himself in to the NYPD earlier this week over claims that he choked his wife. He and his wife, Elizabeth, 40, had filed separate reports accusing each of other assault during a domestic dispute last Saturday.
The top Bronx Democrat — who chaired the state Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee — was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, sources said.
The lawmaker allegedly strangled his wife after she punched him during an argument inside their Daly Avenue apartment in West Farms, police sources said, adding the injuries were minor and cops observed no bruising on either spouse when they arrived.
Sepúlveda — who joined the Senate in 2018 and is running for Bronx Borough president — was released by a judge at his Tuesday night arraignment.
The judge also issued an order of protection at the hearing, barring the lawmaker from going near his estranged wife.
Sepúlveda’s relationship with his wife has been strained in the past, and she had previously sought an order of protection against him — which was later withdrawn, according to the Gotham Gazette.
State Senate leadership stripped Sepúlveda of all committee assignments pending a resolution of the case, including ironically, his role as chairman of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee.
Sepúlveda’s lawyer, Marvin Ray Raskin, earlier this week called it a “false accusation” and noted the pair were in the midst of a divorce.
Sepulveda is considered a major political figure in Bronx politics. Candidates running for mayor, including Maya Wiley, have sought his support.
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