Pedro Espada
Encyclopedia
Pedro Espada, Jr. was a Democratic member of the New York Senate for the 33rd Senate District. He was the New York State Senate Majority Leader and Vice President Pro Tempore for Urban Policy of the Senate. He was at the center of the June 2009 change in power in the Senate, one of two Democratic senators who voted to appoint Republican Dean Skelos as Majority Leader; Espada himself was chosen to be Temporary President. After his return to the Democratic caucus on July 9, 2009, Espada was chosen Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
. Dogged by scandals, Espada was defeated by Gustavo Rivera
on Sept. 14, 2010, in a primary election in his bid to retain his state senate seat 32.66% to Rivera's 62.21%. He was indicted on six federal counts of embezzlement and theft on December 14, 2010, and stripped of his leadership position in the State Senate the same day.
in 1953 and moved with his family to New York City
at the age of five. His family settled in the Mott Haven
section of the Bronx
, where he attended the New York City Public Schools. He attended Fordham University
, where he graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts
degree. Espada subsequently took graduate level coursework at the Hunter College
School of Social Work and also received graduate training certificates from open enrollment
programs at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
and from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
, and received certification in 1990 from the Real Estate Institute at NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies
.
In the late 1970s, Espada was a community organizer and educator in Harlem
and the Lower East Side
in Manhattan
, and in the South Bronx
. He established and served as president of the Comprehensive Community Development Corporation and was the executive director of the Soundview Health Center.
Espada had become head of the tenant's association at Stevenson Commons and led the effort in 1978 to open what became the Soundview Health Center after the city's economic problems led to a decision to not establish a promised clinic in the complex. The empty building that was to have been the clinic was leased by the group and $50,000 in federal grants was obtained, with the first patient taken in October 1981. By 1992, Soundview was offering medical and preventive care to 45,000 patients annually, and was also running a computer literacy program, serving lunch to hundreds of seniors daily and distributing surplus food. The New York Times
noted that the health center featured Espada's name and image throughout the facility, describing it as having "elements of a cult of personality", though Espada explained that they are there as "The community has to know you" so that "In the end, they will trust you".
and African American
heart of the South Bronx, against incumbent Robert García
. Espada, mounting a challenge against what would normally be a safe seat
for renomination, made an issue of García's involvement in the Wedtech scandal
, which resulted in the loss of 1,500 jobs in the economically challenged district. In the primary, Espada was endorsed by The New York Times
, which called him "articulate, focused and knowledgeable about health and poverty" based on his experience with the Soundview Health Center and encouraged voters to "send a powerful message by supporting candidates who have been neither burned nor singed". Espada was also endorsed by El Diario
and The Amsterdam News, but received few endorsements from political figures. García won renomination with 60 percent of the vote to Espada's 27 percent.
Espada was elected to represent the 32nd District, in the Southeast Bronx, which includes the neighborhoods of Soundview, Hunts Point, Mott Haven and Parkchester, serving in office from 1993 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2002, with David Rosado holding office in the intervening years. In the 1996 primary, the Bronx Democratic Party took the highly unusual step of running a candidate against the incumbent Democratic Senator, and successfully challenged Espada's petitions in court. Espada ran on the Liberal Party line, and lost to David Rosado, 78% to 21%
In their 2000 re-match, Espada wrested the Democratic nomination from Rosado, who was forced to defend his seat in the Senate on the Liberal and Working Families Party lines. Espada, having the Democratic line, won the election handily.
In 2001, Espada ran for Bronx Borough President, but was defeated by Adolfo Carrion, Jr.
In 2002, Espada ran for the Democratic nomination for a seat in the New York City Council
, representing the 18th District. He lost to incumbent Ruben Diaz, Sr. by 97 votes. Espada sought a new primary in court, but was denied.
Espada was re-elected to the Senate in 2008 for a seat in the 33rd District, succeeding Efrain Gonzalez
. The 33rd District is in the Northwest Bronx, including the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Fordham, Norwood, and Kingsbridge Heights.
When his son Pedro G. Espada was elected to the New York State Assembly
in 1996, the two became the first father and son in the New York State Legislature to represent different districts in the Bronx.
Espada is the first Latino to serve as Majority Leader, and is the highest-ranking Latino elected official in New York State. This position was given to him to help resolve the June 2009 New York Senate coup orchestrated by Espada, then-Senator Hiram Monserrate and the Republican Senate Conference. Monserrate was later removed from office following a conviction for domestic abuse.
Espada voted in favor of same-sex marriage legislation on December 2, 2009, but the bill was defeated.
Though there were still 32 Democrats and 30 Republicans in the Senate, on June 8, 2009, Espada and Hiram Monserrate
(D-Queens) were part of what was described by the Associated Press
as a "parliamentary coup" and voted with the 30 Republican members to install Senator Dean Skelos
(R-Nassau) as the new majority leader of the Senate, replacing Senator Malcolm Smith (D-Queens). In a press release posted to his Senate web page, Espada emphasized that "I remain a staunch, reform Democrat. I have not switched parties." and that his actions were intended to help end the "gridlock, paralysis, secretiveness, threats and partisan politics" that the Senate had experienced in the previous months and that he was not part of "a power grab or a coup" but was working to build a coalition to serve the needs of all New Yorkers with open and transparent government. However, when pressed by Wayne Barrett
on June 11, 2009 as to whether he felt allegiance to the Democratic party, the Senator claimed he owed nothing to a political party that spent "hundreds of thousands" to defeat his past elections.
The switch was preceded by several weeks of private talks brokered by upstate billionaire Tom Golisano
.
In the early evening of July 9, 2009, Espada switched his allegiance back with the Democratic Party, and was then selected the Senate Majority Leader of the New York State Senate.
in Bedford Park
as his district residence. However, his primary residence is a $700,000 house in the expensive Westchester County
suburb of Mamaroneck
. Several residents of the Bronx co-op say they never see him there. The Bronx District Attorney has opened an investigation, the resulting media attention forcing Espada to move into his vacant Bronx apartment.
By the time Espada was elected to the Senate in 2008, he owed in excess of $60,000 in fines to the New York City Campaign Finance Board
related to races as far back as his 2001 run for Bronx Borough President
. The campaign for his 2008 State Senate run had not registered with the New York State Board of Elections
and fines were assessed against Espada's 2000 Senate campaign for required reports that had not been filed. Espada acknowledged that mistakes had been made but insisted that some of the accusations were unfair.
Steven Pigeon
, who is a former Erie County, NY Democratic chairman is currently the counsel to Espada. Mr. Pigeon's name has been mentioned in connection with an election scandal in 2007 of the county executive campaign of former West Seneca Supervisor Paul T. Clark. Erie County’s Republican elections commissioner has alleged that former Democratic Chairman G. Steven Pigeon laundered thousands of dollars from Buffalo Sabres owner B. Tom Golisano
’s political committee and others in an attempt to conceal the origin and circumvent contribution limits, in violation of state election law.
Espada is also being investigated by federal investigators and the IRS for his ties with a consulting firm called "A-1 Multi-Service LLC" over suspicions that the firm, which appears to not have a valid office, may be a shell company for tax fraud and money laundering
.
On April 29, 2010, Espada was hit with yet another civil lawsuit for allegedly pocketing $1.35 million in a sham job trainings program. The suit focuses on "Espada Management Company," a company run by Espada's son and the company that was hired to provide janitorial services for Espada's Soundview Health Clinics. According to the suit, Espada paid the trainees below minimum wage
- as little as $1.70/hr - to mop floors and scrub toilets.
Andrew Cuomo
was investigating Espada's use of the Soundview Health Clinic for personal political reasons. Clinic offices also advertise Espada's name on the front canopy, display campaign posters on clinic grounds, and display posters of Espada surrounded by smiling children.
In 2002, the State of New York pulled funding for some of his non-profits due to "administrative deficiencies and apparent misuse of funds."
On April 20, 2010, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo formally sued Espada for siphoning $14 million from Soundview Health Clinic for personal expenses. The lawsuit covers 5 years of spending, expenditures which include $80,000 in restaurant bills (which includes $20,000 in sushi
delivered to Espada's Mamaroneck
home), personal trips - including to Las Vegas
and Puerto Rico
- and renting a residence required to establish residency in the district for his Senate race in 2008. Attorney General Cuomo stated: "Siphoning money from a charity would be egregious under any circumstances, but the fact that this was orchestrated by the state Senate majority leader makes it especially reprehensible. In New York, no one is above the law, and this suit should finally make that clear to Senator Espada." The investigation is ongoing and, though there are currently no criminal charges, they may be forthcoming.
The lawsuit also seeks to remove Espada from the board of directors of Soundview and replace the current board, which Cuomo has characterized as not an independent body, and "packed with family and friends that Mr. Espada could control directly and indirectly."
Federal and IRS agents raided two of Espada's offices in the Bronx on April 21, 2010 and his office records were subpoena
ed the following day.
When being interviewed by WCBS
-NY, Espada walked out of the taping of the show "Eye on New York" on April 24, 2010, after reporter Marcia Kramer
revisited issues of his actual residence. Espada got testy when Kramer reminded him that when she approached him last year outside his Mamaroneck home, he donned an orange ski cap and held a baby in front of his face to hide from the camera before speeding off in a car driven by his wife.
In "Up Close with Diana Williams
" on WABC
-NY, Espada's defense has been characterized as turning personal against Andrew Cuomo. Espada has repeatedly called Attorney General Cuomo the "Prince of Darkness" and claims Cuomo's success to be because of the success of his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo
.
, Sen. Darrel Aubertine
and Sen. David Valesky
, have called for Espada to step down from his leadership positions in the New York State Senate. State Sen. Martin Golden
of Brooklyn has also introduced an amendment that would force Espada from his majority leader position.
Nassau County
District Attorney Kathleen Rice
also says that Espada "cannot lead anymore" amid the investigations against him. State Sen. Eric Schneiderman
, a declared Democratic candidate for New York State Attorney General this year, also called for Espada to not only step down from his senate position, but also forfeit his stipend.
On June 9, 2010, residents from the 33rd Bronx district, which Espada currently represents, descended upon Espada's out-of-district Mamaroneck home in Westchester County to protest for his ousting.
On August 3, 2010, Pedro Espada was confronted with protestors at the State Capitol. Espada reacted angrily, took out some money, crumpled it and threw it at the protestors.
. Both Espadas, father and son, are expected to surrender to federal agents on Wednesday, Dec. 15. According to Attorney General Cuomo, the Espadas embezzled public money for personal use, including purchase of food, Broadway show tickets, and a downpayment for a Bentley car. The pair faces up to 55 years in prison if convicted.
The same day Espada was indicted, he was stripped of his title and position as Senate Majority Leader.
The New Roosevelt Initiative (http://www.newrooseveltinitiative.com/) pledged a $250,000 donation to a candidate who seeks to defeat Espada.
The New York State Democratic Committee
launched efforts to oust Espada from the party. The week of July 5, the New York Democratic State Committee sent a letter to Bronx party leaders calling for the cancellation of Espada’s membership. They said Espada does not support party goals, having briefly joined with Republicans the previous summer in a power play that ground Senate business to a halt for a month.
In response, on July 12, 2010, Pedro Espada at a news conference said that charges against him were filed out of racism. Espada said, "If you look brown and you're an immigrant, you're not supposed to have power," outside the Bronx Board of Elections office. Furthermore, Espada proclaimed, "I have God on my side!"
On August 9, 2010, two big labor unions - the 1199 SEIU and 32BJ - endorsed Espada's opponent for the 33rd district seat.
Espada lost the primary election to Gustavo Rivera on September 14, 2010, 32.66% to 62.21%. In his concession speech, Espada blamed unions, outside influence, and the media for his defeat. Espada also refused to call primary winner Rivera personally.
Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
The Majority Leader of the New York State Senate is elected by the majority of the members of the New York State Senate. The position usually coincides with the title of Temporary President of the State Senate, who presides over the session of the State Senate if the Lieutenant Governor of New York...
. Dogged by scandals, Espada was defeated by Gustavo Rivera
Gustavo Rivera
Gustavo Rivera is a New York State Senator representing the Bronx's 33rd Senate District, covering the neighborhoods of Norwood, Van Cortlandt Village, Kingsbridge Heights, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Fordham, University Heights, Tremont, and East Tremont.He received a B.A. in political science...
on Sept. 14, 2010, in a primary election in his bid to retain his state senate seat 32.66% to Rivera's 62.21%. He was indicted on six federal counts of embezzlement and theft on December 14, 2010, and stripped of his leadership position in the State Senate the same day.
Early life and career
Espada was born in Coamo, Puerto RicoCoamo, Puerto Rico
Coamo is a municipality in Puerto Rico located in the southern region, north of Santa Isabel; south of Orocovis and Barranquitas; east of Villalba and Juana Díaz; and west of Aibonito and Salinas. Coamo is spread over 10 wards and Coamo Pueblo...
in 1953 and moved with his family to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
at the age of five. His family settled in the Mott Haven
Mott Haven, Bronx
Mott Haven is a primarily residential neighborhood in the Southwestern section of The Bronx in New York City. Zip codes include 10451, 10454, and 10455. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 1...
section of the Bronx
The Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, where he attended the New York City Public Schools. He attended Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
, where he graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree. Espada subsequently took graduate level coursework at the Hunter College
Hunter College
Hunter College, established in 1870, is a public university and one of the constituent colleges of the City University of New York, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Hunter grants undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees in more than one hundred fields of study, and is recognized...
School of Social Work and also received graduate training certificates from open enrollment
Open admissions
Open admissions is a type of unselective and non-competitive college admissions process in the United States in which the only criterion for entrance is a high school diploma or a General Educational Development certificate.This form of "inclusive" admissions is used by many public junior...
programs at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
The Wharton School is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wharton was the world’s first collegiate business school and the first business school in the United States...
and from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
The Columbia Mailman School of Public Health is one of the schools of Columbia University in New York City. It is one of the first schools of public health recognized by the Council on Education for Public Health and remains a leading academic and research institution. The beginnings of the school...
, and received certification in 1990 from the Real Estate Institute at NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies
New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies
The School of Continuing and Professional Studies is a unit of New York University. Founded in 1934, the school aims at working professionals who seek additional training tailored to their interests....
.
In the late 1970s, Espada was a community organizer and educator in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
and the Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, and in the South Bronx
South Bronx
The South Bronx is an area of the New York City borough of The Bronx. The neighborhoods of Tremont, University Heights, Highbridge, Morrisania, Soundview, Hunts Point, and Castle Hill are sometimes considered part of the South Bronx....
. He established and served as president of the Comprehensive Community Development Corporation and was the executive director of the Soundview Health Center.
Espada had become head of the tenant's association at Stevenson Commons and led the effort in 1978 to open what became the Soundview Health Center after the city's economic problems led to a decision to not establish a promised clinic in the complex. The empty building that was to have been the clinic was leased by the group and $50,000 in federal grants was obtained, with the first patient taken in October 1981. By 1992, Soundview was offering medical and preventive care to 45,000 patients annually, and was also running a computer literacy program, serving lunch to hundreds of seniors daily and distributing surplus food. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
noted that the health center featured Espada's name and image throughout the facility, describing it as having "elements of a cult of personality", though Espada explained that they are there as "The community has to know you" so that "In the end, they will trust you".
Political career
In 1988, Espada ran in the Democratic primary for the nomination in , which at the time covered the largely HispanicHispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
and African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
heart of the South Bronx, against incumbent Robert García
Robert García
Robert García is a former Democratic United States Representative who represented New York's 21st district between 1978 and 1990.-Biography:...
. Espada, mounting a challenge against what would normally be a safe seat
Safe seat
A safe seat is a seat in a legislative body which is regarded as fully secured, either by a certain political party, the incumbent representative personally or a combination of both...
for renomination, made an issue of García's involvement in the Wedtech scandal
Wedtech scandal
The Wedtech Scandal was the name of an American political scandal that came to light in the late 1980s involving the Wedtech Corporation.The company had been founded in Bronx County, New York by a Puerto Rican immigrant named John Mariotta, and originally manufactured baby carriages...
, which resulted in the loss of 1,500 jobs in the economically challenged district. In the primary, Espada was endorsed by The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, which called him "articulate, focused and knowledgeable about health and poverty" based on his experience with the Soundview Health Center and encouraged voters to "send a powerful message by supporting candidates who have been neither burned nor singed". Espada was also endorsed by El Diario
El Diario La Prensa
El Diario la Prensa is the largest and oldest Spanish-language daily newspaper in New York City, and the oldest Spanish-language daily in the United States. Published by ImpreMedia, the paper covers local, national and international news with an emphasis on Latin America, as well as human-interest...
and The Amsterdam News, but received few endorsements from political figures. García won renomination with 60 percent of the vote to Espada's 27 percent.
Espada was elected to represent the 32nd District, in the Southeast Bronx, which includes the neighborhoods of Soundview, Hunts Point, Mott Haven and Parkchester, serving in office from 1993 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2002, with David Rosado holding office in the intervening years. In the 1996 primary, the Bronx Democratic Party took the highly unusual step of running a candidate against the incumbent Democratic Senator, and successfully challenged Espada's petitions in court. Espada ran on the Liberal Party line, and lost to David Rosado, 78% to 21%
In their 2000 re-match, Espada wrested the Democratic nomination from Rosado, who was forced to defend his seat in the Senate on the Liberal and Working Families Party lines. Espada, having the Democratic line, won the election handily.
In 2001, Espada ran for Bronx Borough President, but was defeated by Adolfo Carrion, Jr.
In 2002, Espada ran for the Democratic nomination for a seat in the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
, representing the 18th District. He lost to incumbent Ruben Diaz, Sr. by 97 votes. Espada sought a new primary in court, but was denied.
Espada was re-elected to the Senate in 2008 for a seat in the 33rd District, succeeding Efrain Gonzalez
Efrain Gonzalez
Efrain Gonzalez Jr. was New York senator and convicted Felon.He was the Chair of the Minority Conference within the Senate, as well as Chairman Emeritus of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, Chair of the New York State Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. He is President of the...
. The 33rd District is in the Northwest Bronx, including the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Fordham, Norwood, and Kingsbridge Heights.
When his son Pedro G. Espada was elected to the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1996, the two became the first father and son in the New York State Legislature to represent different districts in the Bronx.
Espada is the first Latino to serve as Majority Leader, and is the highest-ranking Latino elected official in New York State. This position was given to him to help resolve the June 2009 New York Senate coup orchestrated by Espada, then-Senator Hiram Monserrate and the Republican Senate Conference. Monserrate was later removed from office following a conviction for domestic abuse.
Espada voted in favor of same-sex marriage legislation on December 2, 2009, but the bill was defeated.
June 2009 "parliamentary coup"
Though there were still 32 Democrats and 30 Republicans in the Senate, on June 8, 2009, Espada and Hiram Monserrate
Hiram Monserrate
Hiram Monserrate is a former member of the New York State Senate. He represented the 13th District which includes the Queens neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Woodside...
(D-Queens) were part of what was described by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
as a "parliamentary coup" and voted with the 30 Republican members to install Senator Dean Skelos
Dean Skelos
Dean G. Skelos is an American politician and the Republican Temporary President and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate. Skelos represents District 9 in the State Senate, which comprises the southwest region of Nassau County. He is the second Long Islander to hold the position of Majority...
(R-Nassau) as the new majority leader of the Senate, replacing Senator Malcolm Smith (D-Queens). In a press release posted to his Senate web page, Espada emphasized that "I remain a staunch, reform Democrat. I have not switched parties." and that his actions were intended to help end the "gridlock, paralysis, secretiveness, threats and partisan politics" that the Senate had experienced in the previous months and that he was not part of "a power grab or a coup" but was working to build a coalition to serve the needs of all New Yorkers with open and transparent government. However, when pressed by Wayne Barrett
Wayne Barrett
Wayne Barrett is an American journalist. He was an investigative reporter and senior editor for the Village Voice for over 20 years. He is currently a fellow with the Nation Institute and contributor to Newsweek....
on June 11, 2009 as to whether he felt allegiance to the Democratic party, the Senator claimed he owed nothing to a political party that spent "hundreds of thousands" to defeat his past elections.
The switch was preceded by several weeks of private talks brokered by upstate billionaire Tom Golisano
Tom Golisano
Blase Thomas Golisano is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Paychex, the second-largest payroll processor in the United States and former co-owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and of the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team...
.
In the early evening of July 9, 2009, Espada switched his allegiance back with the Democratic Party, and was then selected the Senate Majority Leader of the New York State Senate.
Controversies
Espada claims a co-opHousing cooperative
A housing cooperative is a legal entity—usually a corporation—that owns real estate, consisting of one or more residential buildings. Each shareholder in the legal entity is granted the right to occupy one housing unit, sometimes subject to an occupancy agreement, which is similar to a lease. ...
in Bedford Park
Bedford Park, Bronx
Bedford Park is a residential neighborhood in the northwest Bronx between the New York Botanical Garden and Lehman College. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: Mosholu Parkway to the north, Webster Avenue to the east, East 198th Street to the south, and Jerome Avenue...
as his district residence. However, his primary residence is a $700,000 house in the expensive Westchester County
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
suburb of Mamaroneck
Mamaroneck (town), New York
Mamaroneck is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 29,156 at the 2010 census. There are two villages contained within the town: Larchmont and the Village of Mamaroneck...
. Several residents of the Bronx co-op say they never see him there. The Bronx District Attorney has opened an investigation, the resulting media attention forcing Espada to move into his vacant Bronx apartment.
By the time Espada was elected to the Senate in 2008, he owed in excess of $60,000 in fines to the New York City Campaign Finance Board
New York City Campaign Finance Board
The New York City Campaign Finance Board is an independent, nonpartisan agency of the City of New York. It was created in 1988 in the wake of several political corruption scandals. It gives public matching funds to qualifying candidates, who in exchange submit to strict contribution and spending...
related to races as far back as his 2001 run for Bronx Borough President
Borough president
Borough President is an elective office in each of the five boroughs of New York City.-Reasons for establishment:...
. The campaign for his 2008 State Senate run had not registered with the New York State Board of Elections
New York State Board of Elections
The New York State Board of Elections is a bipartisan agency of the state of New York responsible for enforcement and administration of election-related laws of the state.- External links :*...
and fines were assessed against Espada's 2000 Senate campaign for required reports that had not been filed. Espada acknowledged that mistakes had been made but insisted that some of the accusations were unfair.
Steven Pigeon
Steven Pigeon
Gerald Steven Pigeon, usually cited in newspaper accounts as Steve Pigeon, is a Democratic politician from Western New York. One of the most controversial figures in contemporary Western New York politics, Pigeon was Erie County Democratic Chairman from 1996 to 2002.Today, Pigeon is a political...
, who is a former Erie County, NY Democratic chairman is currently the counsel to Espada. Mr. Pigeon's name has been mentioned in connection with an election scandal in 2007 of the county executive campaign of former West Seneca Supervisor Paul T. Clark. Erie County’s Republican elections commissioner has alleged that former Democratic Chairman G. Steven Pigeon laundered thousands of dollars from Buffalo Sabres owner B. Tom Golisano
Tom Golisano
Blase Thomas Golisano is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Paychex, the second-largest payroll processor in the United States and former co-owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and of the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team...
’s political committee and others in an attempt to conceal the origin and circumvent contribution limits, in violation of state election law.
Espada is also being investigated by federal investigators and the IRS for his ties with a consulting firm called "A-1 Multi-Service LLC" over suspicions that the firm, which appears to not have a valid office, may be a shell company for tax fraud and money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
.
On April 29, 2010, Espada was hit with yet another civil lawsuit for allegedly pocketing $1.35 million in a sham job trainings program. The suit focuses on "Espada Management Company," a company run by Espada's son and the company that was hired to provide janitorial services for Espada's Soundview Health Clinics. According to the suit, Espada paid the trainees below minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
- as little as $1.70/hr - to mop floors and scrub toilets.
Soundview controversy and investigation
Espada has also been repeatedly criticized for unethical usage of the non-profit Soundview Health Clinic for political reasons. In 2000, he was acquitted on charges of using $200,000 from a Soundview HMO in order to pay off campaign debts from 1996. He was found not guilty by arguing that the HMO was allowed to do as it wished with federal money. Four employees were found guilty of using taxpayer funds to help the campaigns of Espada and his son. In 1996, he was indicted for using $70,000 from a city-financed HMO to fund his unsuccessful reelection campaign. As of 2009, New York State Attorney GeneralNew York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Mark Cuomo is the 56th and current Governor of New York, having assumed office on January 1, 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 64th New York State Attorney General, and was the 11th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development...
was investigating Espada's use of the Soundview Health Clinic for personal political reasons. Clinic offices also advertise Espada's name on the front canopy, display campaign posters on clinic grounds, and display posters of Espada surrounded by smiling children.
In 2002, the State of New York pulled funding for some of his non-profits due to "administrative deficiencies and apparent misuse of funds."
On April 20, 2010, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo formally sued Espada for siphoning $14 million from Soundview Health Clinic for personal expenses. The lawsuit covers 5 years of spending, expenditures which include $80,000 in restaurant bills (which includes $20,000 in sushi
Sushi
is a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients . Neta and forms of sushi presentation vary, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is shari...
delivered to Espada's Mamaroneck
Mamaroneck (village), New York
Mamaroneck is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 18,929 at the 2010 census. It is located partially within the town of Mamaroneck and partially within the town of Rye. The portion in Rye is unofficially called "Rye Neck"...
home), personal trips - including to Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
- and renting a residence required to establish residency in the district for his Senate race in 2008. Attorney General Cuomo stated: "Siphoning money from a charity would be egregious under any circumstances, but the fact that this was orchestrated by the state Senate majority leader makes it especially reprehensible. In New York, no one is above the law, and this suit should finally make that clear to Senator Espada." The investigation is ongoing and, though there are currently no criminal charges, they may be forthcoming.
The lawsuit also seeks to remove Espada from the board of directors of Soundview and replace the current board, which Cuomo has characterized as not an independent body, and "packed with family and friends that Mr. Espada could control directly and indirectly."
Federal and IRS agents raided two of Espada's offices in the Bronx on April 21, 2010 and his office records were subpoena
Subpoena
A subpoena is a writ by a government agency, most often a court, that has authority to compel testimony by a witness or production of evidence under a penalty for failure. There are two common types of subpoena:...
ed the following day.
When being interviewed by WCBS
WCBS
WCBS may refer to:Assets of CBS* WCBS , a radio station licensed to New York, New York, United States* WCBS-FM, a radio station licensed to New York, New York, United States...
-NY, Espada walked out of the taping of the show "Eye on New York" on April 24, 2010, after reporter Marcia Kramer
Marcia Kramer
Marcia Kramer is currently the chief political correspondent for WCBS-TV in New York City. Kramer has collected many awards for her electronic journalism at the station and at the New York Daily News newspaper. The awards include two George Foster Peabody awards, two Edward R...
revisited issues of his actual residence. Espada got testy when Kramer reminded him that when she approached him last year outside his Mamaroneck home, he donned an orange ski cap and held a baby in front of his face to hide from the camera before speeding off in a car driven by his wife.
In "Up Close with Diana Williams
Diana Williams
Diana Williams is a news anchor at WABC-TV in New York City, where she currently co-anchors the 5 p.m. Eyewitness News broadcast with Sade Baderinwa and hosts the Sunday morning public affairs program Eyewitness News Up Close with Diana Williams, which airs on Sunday mornings at 11am...
" on WABC
WABC
WABC may refer to:* WABC , a radio station licensed to New York, New York, United States* WABC-TV, a television station licensed to New York, New York, United States* Classic Gold WABC, a defunct British radio station...
-NY, Espada's defense has been characterized as turning personal against Andrew Cuomo. Espada has repeatedly called Attorney General Cuomo the "Prince of Darkness" and claims Cuomo's success to be because of the success of his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo
Mario Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, and is the father of Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York.-Early life:...
.
Reactions to the Espada investigations
Several state senators, including fellow Democrats Sen. Neil BreslinNeil Breslin
Neil Breslin is a member of the New York State Senate. A Democrat, he represents Albany, New York. His district follows the Albany County, New York boundaries exactly....
, Sen. Darrel Aubertine
Darrel Aubertine
Darrel J. Aubertine was a member of the New York State Senate for the 48th district, which covers Central New York and the North Country region counties of Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence in New York State. He is a registered Democrat and represented the district in the state Senate from...
and Sen. David Valesky
David Valesky
David J. Valesky is a member of the New York State Senate and the Vice President Pro Tempore of the State Senate.He is a Democrat representing the mostly rural 49th Senate District, which encompasses the city of Rome in Oneida County, all of Madison County, eastern and southern Onondaga County,...
, have called for Espada to step down from his leadership positions in the New York State Senate. State Sen. Martin Golden
Martin Golden
Martin J. Golden is an American politician from Brooklyn, New York, one of the five boroughs of New York City. Currently a member of the New York State Senate, Golden is a former member of the New York City Council...
of Brooklyn has also introduced an amendment that would force Espada from his majority leader position.
Nassau County
Nassau County
Nassau County is the name of two counties in the United States:*Nassau County, New York*Nassau County, Florida...
District Attorney Kathleen Rice
Kathleen Rice
Kathleen Maura Rice is the current Nassau County District Attorney. In November 2005, Rice defeated 31-year-incumbent Denis E. Dillon to become the first female district attorney of Nassau.-Early life and education:...
also says that Espada "cannot lead anymore" amid the investigations against him. State Sen. Eric Schneiderman
Eric Schneiderman
Eric T. Schneiderman is the 65th and current New York Attorney General.-Early life, education, and early career:Schneiderman graduated from Amherst College in 1977 with a B.A...
, a declared Democratic candidate for New York State Attorney General this year, also called for Espada to not only step down from his senate position, but also forfeit his stipend.
On June 9, 2010, residents from the 33rd Bronx district, which Espada currently represents, descended upon Espada's out-of-district Mamaroneck home in Westchester County to protest for his ousting.
On August 3, 2010, Pedro Espada was confronted with protestors at the State Capitol. Espada reacted angrily, took out some money, crumpled it and threw it at the protestors.
Federal indictment
On December 14, 2010, Espada and his son, Pedro G. Espada, were both indicted on six federal counts of embezzlement and theft. The indictment was by U.S. Attorney Loretta E. Lynch, and also announced by New York State Attorney General and Governor-elect Andrew CuomoAndrew Cuomo
Andrew Mark Cuomo is the 56th and current Governor of New York, having assumed office on January 1, 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 64th New York State Attorney General, and was the 11th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development...
. Both Espadas, father and son, are expected to surrender to federal agents on Wednesday, Dec. 15. According to Attorney General Cuomo, the Espadas embezzled public money for personal use, including purchase of food, Broadway show tickets, and a downpayment for a Bentley car. The pair faces up to 55 years in prison if convicted.
The same day Espada was indicted, he was stripped of his title and position as Senate Majority Leader.
2010 re-election bid
Despite being under investigation by the Bronx District Attorney, FBI, IRS, and NYS Attorney General, Pedro Espada ran for re-election to his 33rd State Senate District seat. He was challenged by a number of candidates, including:- Jose Gustavo Rivera, former Chief of Staff for State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins who managed field operations in a number of states for Barack ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's presidential campaign, and most recently served as Director of Outreach for U.S. Senator Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandKirsten Elizabeth Rutnik Gillibrand is an attorney and the junior United States Senator from the state of New York and a member of the Democratic Party...
. Rivera has lived in the 33rd District for over a decade, shortly after arriving from his native Puerto Rico.
The New Roosevelt Initiative (http://www.newrooseveltinitiative.com/) pledged a $250,000 donation to a candidate who seeks to defeat Espada.
The New York State Democratic Committee
New York State Democratic Committee
The New York State Democratic Committee runs the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of New York. Its headquarters are in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and it has an office in Albany.-List of chairpersons:...
launched efforts to oust Espada from the party. The week of July 5, the New York Democratic State Committee sent a letter to Bronx party leaders calling for the cancellation of Espada’s membership. They said Espada does not support party goals, having briefly joined with Republicans the previous summer in a power play that ground Senate business to a halt for a month.
In response, on July 12, 2010, Pedro Espada at a news conference said that charges against him were filed out of racism. Espada said, "If you look brown and you're an immigrant, you're not supposed to have power," outside the Bronx Board of Elections office. Furthermore, Espada proclaimed, "I have God on my side!"
On August 9, 2010, two big labor unions - the 1199 SEIU and 32BJ - endorsed Espada's opponent for the 33rd district seat.
Espada lost the primary election to Gustavo Rivera on September 14, 2010, 32.66% to 62.21%. In his concession speech, Espada blamed unions, outside influence, and the media for his defeat. Espada also refused to call primary winner Rivera personally.
See also
- 2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis2009 New York State Senate leadership crisisThe 2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis was a political dispute in New York that began on June 8, 2009. The State Senate was controlled by Democrats with a 32-30 majority, when a bipartisan coalition of all 30 Republicans and two Democrats, Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr., voted to...
- Recall Petition to recall corrupt politicians