Word of psychological problems persistent enough for the NYPD to confiscate the former cop’s firearms, as well as a little-known 2001 incident involving the then-City Council candidate allegedly running over a tow-truck operator with his car, point to a history of mental disturbances that have plagued the politician since at least 1999.
   That was the year Monserrate filed a disability pension from the NYPD — where he was an 12-year veteran of the 111th Precinct in Bayside — citing mental problems, including post-traumatic stress syndrome. “I suffer with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression,” the Marine-turned-cop wrote in 1999, according to Monday’s Daily News.
   Police seized his guns based on the result of a NYPD-administered psychological exam ordered as a result of the claim.
   Up to that point, the NYPD and Police Officer Monserrate had an incredibly rocky relationship.
   A year earlier, police were caught up in litigation brought by the veteran officer against his superiors, with Monserrate accusing the NYPD of harassment and illegal wiretapping.
   That case was settled in 1998 for more than $100,000, with the top brass ordered to expunge an earlier negative evaluation for Monserrate that he alleged was retribution for his harassment complaint.
   Two years later, on the eve of the September 2001 Democratic primary to succeed then-Councilwoman Helen Marshall, Monserrate reportedly was arrested by police for running over a tow-truck driver attempting to confiscate his car.
   According to published reports, Monserrate ran over the driver’s leg while attempting to drive off with the car in the early morning hours of Sept. 10, 2001 in Corona.
   The arrest of a front-running City Council candidate got little press, perhaps partly due to the flood of news coverage of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
   A Monserrate spokesman declined to comment on the incident, as well as the disability request in 1999.
   “I would like to reiterate to my constituents and community that I have absolutely nothing to hide and all facts will become known at the appropriate time,” Monserrate said in a statement on Monday.
   A spokesman for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said there was no public record of an arrest. Police did not return calls for comment on the incident by press time.
   Despite Monserrate’s history of psychological problems and his prior arrest for assault, many had a hard time believing he was capable of the alleged slashing assault of Giraldo.
   “It seems so unreal that a person with a reputation of defending victims of domestic violence would be charged with such a crime,” said Ann Jawin, founder of the Center for Women in New York.
   But as more and more details of the alleged attack became known, a picture of a much darker and jealous Monserrate emerged.
   According to Giraldo’s initial statement to police, Monserrate assaulted her after he found another man’s police union ID card in his wallet.
   Meanwhile, Corona resident Lydia Hernandez expressed shock and anger — at the media — for the negative portrayal of Monserrate in recent days. “He’s a powerful Latino,” Hernandez said. “He’s an easy mark.”