Yet another investigation is being launched into the shady doings of State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. The latest allegations suggest that Espada may have used a Bronx consulting firm, called A-1 Multi-Service LLC, to avoid paying taxes on contracts for himself and people close to him. The firm reportedly received contracts from another Buffalo firm, GDP Consulting, which has ties to Espada counsel Steve Pigeon. (The two companies worked together on health care consulting and trying to legalize a lottery in the Dominican Republic.) Today Espada fired back.

"They're all totally, 100 percent falsehoods," Espada told reporters outside the state Capitol. "All of it. All of it. All of it is false. One hundred percent is false. I have no relationship. It will be clear." Espada also said the allegations "fit in neatly" with a recent announcement that Bronx activist Desiree Pilgrim Hunter was challenging him for his Senate seat.

When asked if his son, Pedro G. Espada, has any connection to A-1 Multi Services, Espada did what he does best: speak in the third person. "I'm only here to talk about myself. That's why you're here, to keep the focus on me, right?" Espada said. "Pedro Esapda says that it's despicable that we have to sink down to this level of politics."