Defiant Espada Plays Race Card, Religion Card, Baby Card

State Senators Pedro Espada, Jr. and Ruben Diaz (Courtesy Azi Paybarah)

Embattled Bronxchester State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. held a dramatic press conference yesterday to hit back at Democratic officials trying to oust him from the party. Brandishing a thick stack of 10,000 petition signatures in support of his re-election campaign, Espada stood outside a Board of Elections office and shouted, "Ten thousand Democrats, they have said you will not dis-enroll us you will not disenfranchise us. We want Pedro on the ballot. He is our Democrat. He's our senator... The attacks against me are attacks against the community I represent, who are Latinos, working class African-Americans. I am a Christian, I am Catholic, I am God-fearing, and I have God on my side."

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has filed a civil suit against Espada, accusing him of siphoning $14 million from his non-profit health clinic (which receives millions in taxpayer money) for himself and his family. And criminal charges related to tax fraud are expected against Espada soon. CBS 2 HD reports that a new round of subpoenas were served on a group of Espada's Senate staffers Monday. According to the report, the subpoenaed staffers are "people who get paid by the state to work for Espada and paid by Espada to do private legal work for him, which may be a conflict."

Opponents are also accusing Espada of giving out free food in exchange for those petition signatures. "Giving food in exchange for petition signatures is a clear violation of election law, so we do question the validity of those petition signatures," says Horacio Gutierrez, spokesman for primary opponent Gustavo Rivera. And one Espada constituent sums it up neatly: "It's just another device. Let's face it, the man is a sleazy politician."

Aw, but he has grandchildren! Check out this adorable video of Espada holding up his granddaughter at the press conference. Why does that meanie Cuomo want to destroy such a cutiepie? As Espada asked an absent Cuomo yesterday, "Why do you insist on trying to destroy my family when the very, very underpinning of your candidacy for governor is because your father laid the groundwork for your family?":

Espada says he's been a Democrat all his life, so let's all just forget about how he became a Republican during the Senate coup last summer that brought Albany to a standstill (though to be fair it doesn't take much). Espada's "amigo" in the coup, Senator Ruben Diaz, was by his side yesterday, and said, "A good Democrat is the one that supports and fights for our programs." He was apparently referring to Espada(?), who summed up his troubles thus: "We know too well about discrimination, we know too well about xenophobia. If you look brown and you're an immigrant, you're not supposed to have power."

Comments [rss]

Elizabeth

The only real candidate that can beat this embarrassment of a Senator is Gustavo Rivera. Read about him: http://www.clydefitchreport.com/2010/06/the-most-interesting-local-race-of-the-year/

Gustavo Rivera for State Senat

To iswiftny2000 and anyone else interested in working to get rid of Pedro Espada - please visit www.gustavoforstatesenate.com or email us at volunteers@gustavoforstatesenate.com.

Thank you!

Spirit of 76

What, no age card? No gender card? Discrimination against the outer boroughs?

korper

It's nice to know God isn't limiting Himself to only supporting candidates in the South.

Sketto

He shouldn't limit himself to just a few labels. Pedro, try this: I am a Christian. I am a Catholic. I am god-fearing. I am a hypocrite. I am a thief. I would rather give press conferences than do real honest work. I am a scumbag. I like the cameras. I hate investigations that expose me. I like to think everyone is dumber than I am. I am a true politician!

Guest

ahh, then pedro should make his own version of this well-known song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M60cl7bKCMw

and et voila! he may even become a true entertainer.

Stevennnn

This is why our country is heading for epic disaster. Politicians know they can do whatever they please because the public are idiots.

KaosDG

he forgot to play this card:

http://magic.falseblue.com/output/1279034766.png

hotstepper

the snake is really starting to squirm. i loves it!

Guest

...he should team up with jesse and bring lebron back.

Guest

hahahahahaha. i just caught myself. ok, off gothamist. now.

iswiftny2000

I live in this district and have not signed any petition to have this man on the ballot for November. He is a disgrace to the community. I truly believe that if he even has 10,000 signatures, the bulk of them came from his "free food" campaign. I won't vote for him and plan to volunteer my time and talents to whomever is running against him.

Elizabeth

You should check out Gustavo Rivera: www.gustavoforstatesenate.com or read this article:

http://www.clydefitchreport.com/2010/06/the-most-interesting-local-race-of-the-year/

bleeckerite

The cancer that is killing Albany.

epicac5

i want to effin' puke.

Judge Smails

Anyone know where I can find a list of 10,000 stupid people? Oh, wait...

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

There is a list of people on Christine Quinn's ballot petition if you are interested. Espada will most likely win unless Cuomo and the Feds proceed with the investigation. This is all the Democratic Party's fault who permitted him to run in the first place after MANY people filed notice of his fake residence. They chose to ignore it and now they can't remove him from the Party. The party head just conceded yesterday that it would have to be the people' decision.

ShadowCat

God has just release a comment in regards to Pedro's "God is on my side" comment. He said, "Bitch please. He ain't on my side. Go slither back into that sewer grate and take Ruben Diaz with you."