Cuomo Hits Espada, Son With New Labor Lawsuit

Espada pulls off his microphone and says, "I've had it," before storming off the set of CBS 2's "Eye On New York" on April 23rd.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo just can't get enough of Pedro Espada these days. Today The Prince of Darkness filed yet another lawsuit against the Senate Majority Leader from Bronxchester, accusing Espada and his son Pedro G. (you remember G.) of running a "sham job training program" that enabled them to siphon money from Espada's shady non-profit health clinic, Soundview. Espada allegedly created a for-profit management company, Espada Management, which was supposed to supply janitors for the Soundview medical clinics. But according to Cuomo's lawsuit:

The program mischaracterized workers as trainees who were then paid wages that were far below what New York State law requires. The trainees typically worked for a two week period with little training or direction and performed tasks such as cleaning bathrooms, mopping floors, and sweeping—the same tasks a full-time janitor performed.
During the program, the workers were paid a fraction of the wages mandated by law, some making less than $70 per week, or the equivalent of under $1.70 per hour. Paychecks were signed by either Senator Espada or his son.

After the two weeks were up, they were typically replaced with a new crop of underpaid "trainees," Cuomo alleges. But at least they got a "Certificate of Completion of Healthcare Maintenance Internship" out of it! Cuomo claims the certificates were signed by Pedro G. Espada and were "for fulfillment of JCAHO standards maintenance training program." JCAHO stands for the "Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations"—an organization that allegedly "knew nothing of the Espadas’ program, did not authorize its name to any such program, did not provide or publish standards for janitorial services that might be the subject of a training program, and has no curriculum whatsoever that would support such a program."

Pedro G. Espada earned more than $150,000 running the training program, and Cuomo says that "since 2005, at least 100 workers have been victimized by this program." Today's lawsuit is just the latest in a series of legal troubles for Espada, who was sued by Cuomo for allegedly "looting" at least $14 million from Soundview. Federal charges are likey in connection with an FBI and IRS investigation. And as if that wasn't enough, yesterday Espada's office was surrounded by irate housing activists who say he's not protecting low-income tenants from rapacious landlords. Weird video of the singing demonstration below:

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on April 28, 2010 12:56 PM

Comments [rss]

dadoc

Never underestimate the arrogance and impudence of a scummy little dirtbag like Espada, nor his co-scum in Albany, nor those who elected him (hear that, constituency?). The Soundview "internship" story broke months ago. Soundview has been a scam from the first: Medicaid & benefit fraud, diversion, coercion, extortion, everything that is wrong. The timing of indictment indicates that it was held for the right time. How long did it take to go after Bruno? All of Albany and NY politics in general are a huge RICO enterprise, worse than NJ or RI. No up to Espada or down to Cuomo, but what this state needs (Albany) is a full Federal Justice Dept investigation & prosecution of these criminals. NYS Judges are appoited by the same dirtbags they'll be trying. A thorough cleaning of house is in order.

inoyourider

Nothing will be left of Pedro Espada when this all done.

He should do the world and himself a favor and kill himself now.

peoplewatching

according to the AG complaint, both Pedro G's baby mama and current wife are sitting on the Soundview board... classy.

rasputinsghost

Cuomo already had my vote, and now it's solid

Spook

the question is if the voters can't get enough of Deep Pockets Padro?

Actually Cuomo should just save the state money by just straight up gutting him with a machete!

legendary

Cuomo is going to ride Espada into the Governor's mansion, and I'm pretty okay with it.

theboneranger

Thats what you get for not shutting the fuck up when Cuomo bitch slapped you the first time, last week. You want some more, Espada? STFU!

rcltrh

I just love it when good things happen to bad people. Let's hope they throw away the key.

SP

I am kvelling with schadenfreude. I can't WAIT for him to be thrown in jail. PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEEASE don't let him off the hook with some kind of settlement. LOCK HIS ASS UP!