When Family Battles And Legislative Agendas Collide!

By now, you've certainly heard of indicted Bronx State Senator Efrain Gonzalez and his [ongoing](/19/35/informationagent/crimeblotter.cfm) [legal](/19/51/news&columns/JohnDeSio.cfm) [battle](/20/6/news&columns/JohnDeSio.cfm) with the Justice Department and the City's Department of Investigation over his alleged misuse of taxpayer funds for his personal benefit. The story got even juicier in January when Gonzalez's ex-wife informed the world that while Gonzalez was reportedly raiding the government's wallet he was also apparently [ignoring his own developmentally disabled son](/blogx/display_blog.cfm?bid=46613704). More [here] and [here](http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/492960p-415161c.html).

Just moments ago, Candice M. Giove caught up with Gonzalez at an event in The Bronx that, given his own recent history with the issue, he might have wanted to stay away from this year. Here is her report:

Although his ex-wife has publicly lashed him for his neglect of his severely developmentally disabled son, State Senator Efrain Gonzalez had no shame attending The Bronx Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Council's annual legislative breakfast.

When asked how appropriate it was to attend this event, given his reported treatment of his own severely mentally retarded and disabled son Michael Gonzalez, the embattled State Senator had this to say, "I have no comment. You're out of line."

State Senator Gonzalez was one of the event's co-hosts and sat prominently at the dais. The first of a series of elected officials to speak to the large crowd Gonzalez was introduced as "the proud father of Michael."

The State Senator stumbled through his speech, at one point taking a break from the podium.  The Senator seemed distracted. He talked very little about the issues and instead spent his time pointing out his colleagues.