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Disgraced former State Sen. Pedro Espada helped himself to one more big payday, selling off tattered remains of his Bronx health clinic and pocketing the dough, prosecutors said in court papers unsealed today. The US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn is asking a federal judge to revoke bail and lock up Espada, who was convicted earlier this year of using his Soundview Health Center as his personal slush fund. Brooklyn federal judge Frederic Block ordered everyone to court for a hearing on Friday. Following Espada’s May 14 conviction, state and federal authorities moved in and prevented the disgraced pol and his...

State Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. indicted for embezzlementBy CHUCK BENNETT Last Updated: 5:49 PM, December 14, 2010 Pedro Espada Jr, the scandal-scarred outgoing state Senate majority leader, was indicted today in Brooklyn federal court for allegedly looting his Bronx health clinic and using the money for lavish meals, Broadway tickets — and a downpayment on a Bentley. The long-expected indictments came months after Espada – who stalled state government last year when he bolted from the Democratic to Republican party then back again – lost his primary re-election campaign. Espada and his son, Pedro Gautier Espada, are due in court...

Under pressure from the NY Post about non-disclosure, NY State Sen. Pedro Espada's disclosure form states that he paid check no. 1119 to Hunts Point Terminal Market.....and signed off on a $17,000 check to Hunts Point Terminal Market. But the food wholesaler said he never would have paid them directly. "The Hunts Point produce market is a real-estate entity and is not one of the Terminals 45 sellers of produce," said a spokeswoman.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York Sen. Pedro Espada calls the latest lawsuit filed against him by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo a further attempt at "political assassination" and denies running a sham job training program. In a suit today , Cuomo says the Bronx Democrat and his son Pedro G. Espada are violating labor laws and shortchanging workers through the training program at their Bronx health centers...

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is accusing state Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. of siphoning $14 million from the senator's government-funded Bronx clinic. Cuomo announced a lawsuit Tuesday against nearly 20 current and former officials of an Espada company known locally as Soundview. The attorney general says Espada diverted charitable assets to himself, relatives and friends and for his political operation. There was no immediate comment from Espada, who had called Cuomo's investigation a "witch hunt" to boost the attorney general's political career. They are both Democrats. Espada is a freshman senator who was instrumental in a coup...

Bronx Senator's Financial Windfall From Turning Albany On Its Ear Continues With $568,000 For Staff Hires Reporting NEW YORK (CBS) Senator Pedro Espada is embroiled in a new pay controversy. CBS 2 HD has learned he's doling out raises and jobs to friends and cronies with money he got after he re-defected to the Democrats in the Albany circus. The Albany coup is the gift that keeps on giving -- to Espada. After the renegade politician agreed to rejoin the Democrats -- giving them the majority -- he received $568,000 for increases to his staff. "He's really the poster boy...

ALBANY - Bronx state Sen. Pedro Espada, whose defection to the Republican camp helped trigger the current Senate crisis, will return to the Democratic fold and end the month-long Senate stalemate, The Post has learned. Espada, whose defection to the Republicans was the main reason for Gov. Paterson's controversial action yesterday "naming" Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor, revealed his startling plans to The Post.

Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. has returned to the fold, giving the Democrats a 32-30 majority in the state Senate—again—and taking the title majority leader. Espada (D-Bronx) said during a news conference this afternoon that his disagreement with fellow Democrats on June 8, which led to a Republican-led coup, “has never been about titles,” though he received the title of temporary president as a result of the coup. “Today I stand here with another title,” he said. “I tell you very clearly, I have always been a Democrat. I will continue to be a Democrat. I never left home. I had...

SEN. ESPADA RETURNING TO DEMOCRATS POWER IN ALBANY FLIPS AGAIN ALBANY - Bronx state Sen. Pedro Espada, whose defection to the Republican camp helped trigger the current Senate crisis, will return to the Democratic fold and end the month-long Senate stalemate, The Post has learned. Espada, whose defection to the Republicans was the main reason for Gov. Paterson's controversial action yesterday "naming" Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor, revealed his startling plans to The Post. The defection would bring a quick end to the Senate's current 31-31 vote stalemate, in which Espada has repeatedly joined with the 30 Republican members in...

Dems Refuse To Recognize Espada As President Pro Tem, Don't Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance During Special Session Republicans Fail To Take Podium, Pass Bills By Acclamation

Coup plotters have always rationalized their devious plots as necessary to realize the will of the people.The Republican-led junta that seized control of the state Senate yesterday was no exception. "This is a new beginning for New York State," propagandized one of the Democratic turncoats that made the coup possible, Bronx Sen. Pedro Espada. "A new beginning of bipartisan government, a new beginning of real reform." What a crock. This was a GOP power grab, plain and simple. The Republicans saw a chance to overturn last fall's election results, which put Democrats in the majority for the first time since...

. . . Republicans have retaken control of the New York Senate after at least two Democrats, Senators Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) and Pedro Espada (D-Bronx), crossed party lines to caucus with the GOP. The Albany Times-Union has reported that Dean Skelos (R), former minority leader, has been elected majority leader and Espada has been elected Senate president. What this political change portends for the firearms microstamping bill (S.4397) is unknown; however, the legislation has been removed from today's schedule. The NSSF government relations team is on the ground in Albany monitoring this situation. NSSF would like to thank the thousands...

CHAOS IN ALBANY: GOP Coup Upsets Balance In Senate Malcolm Smith Ousted As Senate Majority Leader; Dems Turn Off Lights, Cut Internet Power In Attempt To Stop Coup Paterson Goes Ballistic: I'm Here To Stand Up For DemocracyALBANY (CBS) ― Click to enlarge1 of 1 Sens. Dean Skelos (l) and Pedro Espada (r) are sworn in in the New York Senate chambers on June 8, 2009. CBS Republicans, who lost control of the New York State Senate last November have apparently regained control, and without an election! The GOP power play involves two renegade Democrats and a billionaire businessman. Welcome...

·11250 Waples Mill Road ·   Fairfax, Virginia 22030    ·800-392-8683   New York: Status of Anti-Gun Bills Uncertain as Balance of Power Changes in Albany   Monday, June 08, 2009   Please Continue Checking Your Email and www.NRAILA.org for UpdatesOn Monday, June 8 two Democrats, State Senators Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens) and Pedro Espada (D-Bronx), switched parties to caucus with the Republicans.  This change allows the Republicans to take control of the New York State Senate.  As of now, the legislature is in upheaval and we are unsure of the status of firearm related bills, including the micro-stamping bill (Senate Bill 4397A). Please hold your calls and...

Malcolm Smith Ousted As Senate Majority Leader; Dems Turn Off Lights, Cut Internet Power In Attempt To Stop Coup Paterson Goes Ballistic: I'm Here To Stand Up For Democracy That was the big question Monday night following a political standoff in Albany. The Republicans said they pulled off a coup, snatching power away from the Senate majority, but the Democrats said it was illegal and that they're still in control of the Legislature. And the whole thing has Gov. David Paterson lashing out at lawmakers. It was a carefully crafted coup -- five weeks in the making, with independent Tom...

<p>Rob Bennett for The New York Times; Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times Two state senators — Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens — moved to defect to the Republican side, which would end Democratic control of the chamber.</p>

After four decades of Republican control, the New York State Senate's Democrats scored a coup in January, finally securing the chamber. Five months later, they may have lost it after a riotous affair went down this afternoon, with two Democrats abandoning their party to join hands with Republicans — who promptly demanded a new roll call vote to find new leadership and oust Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. What's this mean for the fractious effort to beat the legislative session's ticking clock to pass same-sex marriage legislation? In a stunning turn of events, Sens. Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and...