The troubles keep coming for deposed Bronxchester State Senator Pedro Espada Jr.. On top of those embezzling charges he and his son are facing we can now add two more charges of corruption. But remember, to Espada two can be the same as one, so it isn't as bad as it looks. more ›

It's been a while since we've heard from that colorful corrupt clown Pedro Espada, Jr., who was ousted by voters in 2010 amidst allegations that he embezzled more than half a million dollars from the Bronx nonprofit health care network he runs with his son. Yesterday, at last, the drought ended outside the former State Senator's Soundview Clinic, where Espada responded to reports that the state might revoke the clinic's license. This being Espada, the press conference took on operatic tones, with subtle notes of castration and sinister violation. more ›

Since he is no longer a state senator, Pedro Espada Jr. no longer has to keep up the pretense that he actually lived in his old stomping grounds—Espada is selling his Bronx co-op apartment, which caused endless controversy for him, and served as a symbol for his entire failed political career. He'll now be free to burst from the cocoon, and transform into the Mamaroneck-residing disgraced politician facing decades in prison butterfly that he is inside. more ›

It turns out that disgraced former Bronxchester Senator Pedro Espada's autobiography wasn't only about portraying himself as a "hero"—it was also about attacking Eliot Spitzer. According to Donald MacLaren, the ghostwriter whom Espada hired to pen his monomyth, told the Post that Espada wanted to use a sizable chunk of the book to stage a political attack on Spitzer. "There was animosity there. He almost wanted to write a book to defame Spitzer," said MacLaren. more ›

We already heard allegations that disgraced former Bronxchester Senator Pedro Espada embezzled more than half a million dollars from the Bronx nonprofit health care network he ran for personal use, on items such as a $125,000 Bentley, thousands of sushi dinners, and a lavish birthday party replete with petting zoo and pony rides. But now, prosecutors are trying to determine whether Espada also used part of that money to pay a ghostwriter to help write his memoir...in which he'd deny using that money inappropriately. more ›

When we first heard about several prominent former NY lawmakers still receiving their taxpayer-funded pensions, despite criminal convictions, we were shocked at how nonchalant and entitled everyone seemed about it. But yesterday, State Controller Thomas DiNapoli told the News that he plans to publicly push to put an end to these financial shenanigans. "We don't have anything now that's a deterrent. We need to do something to build in some kind of penalty to get people to think twice before they do some of those things," DiNapoli said a day-late and a dollar-short. more ›

Pedro, Pedro, Pedro. Because nothing with the disgraced former State Senator Pedro Espada ever is easy, news comes today that the problem pol went and filed to receive a pension from the state just a day before he and his son were indicted (they've pled not guilty). On the plus side, because he only has eight years in the system under his belt, the elder Espada only stands to get $9,000 a year from the state. Oh, Pedro. more ›

Disgraced former State Senator Pedro Espada and his son Pedro G. Espada were released on $750,00 bail today after pleading not guilty to charges of embezzling more than half a million dollars from the Bronx nonprofit health care network they managed. According to a grand jury indictment returned yesterday, Espada used the non-profit Soundview, which the senator founded 30 years ago, to live a life of semi-luxury and finance his political campaigns. The Times reports that Espada allegedly used some of the money to pay for a lavish birthday party at his Mamaroneck home, replete with petting zoo, pony rides and a videographer. And you already knew about the $20,000 in sushi deliveries, but did you know about the Bentley? more ›

Everyone's favorite Bronxchester, soon-to-be former State Senator Pedro Espada Jr., makes the news twice today. Once because he has finally been charged with stealing from his nonprofit (as expected) and twice because his tone-deafness seems to know no bounds. more ›

With heavy sighs and clenched handkerchiefs, politicians across NY state mourned the loss of former State Sen. Pedro Espada Jr., after Tuesday's humiliating defeat at the hands of upstart Gustavo Rivera. "He was an albatross around all of our necks," said a depressed Sen. Liz Krueger, clearly too overwhelmed by the moment. "What Espada's ethical problems did was put a scarlet letter around anyone in the conference," a Senate official told the Daily News, tears probably streaming down a reddened, blotchy face. more ›

Gustavo Rivera may have trounced soon-to-be FORMER State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. by a margin of 62%-32%, but don't think for a second this resounding loss means the end of the Espada dynasty. Like his fellow coup-mate Hiram Monserrate, Espada is vowing to come back with a vengeance. But unlike Monserrate, whose comeback attempt ended last night with another humiliating loss, Espada has the power of LOVE on his side more ›

Last night, Carl Paladino trounced Rick Lazio to win the Republican gubernatorial primary in a big upset. State Senator Eric Schneiderman won the Democratic Attorney General primary. Rep. Charles Rangel and Rep. Carolyn Maloney both fought off challengers and won their Democratic House primaries. And, in another (happy) surprise, State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. conceded to Gustavo Rivera. more ›

If you're a registered Democrat or Republican, you can vote in tomorrow's primary. Besides getting a chance to participate in the democratic (small d) process, you'll also get a chance to come face-to-face with one of the new voting machines—no more old-fashioned lever machines, it's now time for newfangled scanners (time for our own Lizard People vote?). more ›

Would it surprise you to learn that ninety percent of Bronxchester Sen. Pedro Espada Jr.'s campaign cash from the past year comes from outside the Bronx? Since June 2009, Espada has raised $261,000 from individuals and corporations, ninety percent of which ($237,510) came from elsewhere, the Daily News reports. more ›

A former opponent of Pedro Espada Jr. is accusing the Bronxchester Senator of playing dirty on the campaign trail, even after the campaign was over. Waaaaait, someone is accusing Pedro of dirty tricks?? Next you'll be telling us the prospect of an Islamic community center and mosque in Lower Manhattan is the cause of mass controversy! more ›

"Pirate of the Bronx" Pedro Espada is well known for throwing things out, whether it's tailor bills, race cards or petty cash. He's so extremely talented at it, it should come as no shock that he has racked up the most violations for his political litter during this campaign. more ›

Pedro Espada is great at throwing money around, except maybe when it comes to his tailor. So it's no big surprise that after being called out for not reporting any expenditures on his fruit and vegetable giveaway, Espada signed off on a whopping $17,000 check for the produce. more ›

The main challenger to scandal-tarred Bronxchester Senator Pedro Espada Jr. has gotten a big boost. Gustavo Rivera's campaign to unseat Espada has been threatened by another challenger, Daniel Padernacht, a lawyer and member of a Bronx community board who had previously refused calls for him to drop out of the race. On Sunday, Padernacht dropped out, conceding that a three-way race would split the anti-Espada vote in next week's primary. more ›

Where to begin? A State Senator who threw Albany into gridlock for over a month last year, allegedly looted $14 million from his healthcare non-profit, threatened a 70-something blogger, and supposedly stiffed the tailor who makes his $1,200 suits is now telling youths to raise their image by raising their pants. State Senator Pedro Espada has joined fellow Senator Eric Adam's Stop the Sag campaign, according to the Daily Politics. more ›

Oh Pedro, if you're not throwing money at protesters, or (allegedly) stiffing your tailor of thousands of dollars, than you're probably complaining about being bullied (while bullying others). We wish we were bringing you good news...but remember that whole mess you got into with the Priest during your highly publicized fruit and vegetable giveaways? Well, it looks like you forgot to report spending any campaign funds on them, and like everything you do, it's made some people very mad. more ›

State Senator Pedro Espada Jr., who was last seen literally throwing money away, has earned the enmity of a tailor who says he made $7,200 worth of threads for Espada and never received payment. Vijay Rajkumar, owner of Custom Men in midtown, claims he made and delivered Espada's $1,200-a-piece suits last year without taking an upfront payment or deposit, telling the Daily News, "I'm a small tailor, usually I don't do this, but I thought that he's a senator, where's he going to run away? That was my biggest mistake." But Espada says it should be obvious to everyone that Rajkumar is lying, because he's talking to the press. more ›

Some Bronx residents who've signed petitions supporting an opponent of powerful Bronxchester Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. say they're receiving intimidating letters from Espada's campaign office. In bold-face capital letters, the missives read "NOTICE OF LEGAL INFORMATION WARNING" and inform the recipient that he/she has been identified "as a person who has signed a legal document known as a petition. Receipt of this letter is NOT an indication that you have done anything wrong. However, there is reason to believe that your signature has been obtained against the law." Hmm, is the subtext: "You're about to be deported!!!!" more ›

Here's a video showing our favorite State Senator from Bronxchester staying real classy in the Capitol. Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., who has come out against rent stabilization and other tenant’s-rights measures, has been targeted by tenants-rights activists for some time now. They hold rowdy protests outside his office, heckle him at public appearances, and even photobomb him at City Hall. It's all good sport, but from the looks of this video it seems Espada's cracking: more ›

A few months ago, Bronx community activist Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter announced her intentions to challenge State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. in the fall Democratic primary, saying, "I want to offer the district a fresh start. I want to return us to an honest and open government, sort of turning our backs on the old politics that has become a problem here in the Bronx and in Albany in general." But we guess that the fresh start for the 33rd District might have to come from someone else, because she's dropped out. more ›

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." more ›

Has God turned against Pedro Espada, Jr., too? While the embattled State Senator from Bronxchester spent Saturday trying to win constituents' hearts and minds by giving away free lunch outside a church in Norwood, the church's pastor, Father George Stewart, was warning his flock to be aware of the rascally Espada. Besides the civil and criminal probes into Espada's management of his taxpayer-funded health clinics, he also once said he "despised the Catholic Church." more ›

It wasn't enough that his own political party wouldn't want to touch him with a ten-foot pole, nor that arch-nemesis AG Andrew Cuomo ("The Prince of Darkness") is planning on filing criminal charges against him soon; no, Pedro Espada wouldn't be satisfied unless he pissed off holy men. Bronx priest Father George Stewart has been railing against Espada to his congregation, accusing him of using his church, St. Brendan's Church in Norwood, as a prop to gain support at the ballot box. more ›

With criminal charges about to drop on State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., the head of the state Democratic party wants to oust him from the party! Won't anyone stand up for the man accused of siphoning $14 million from a taxpayer-funded non-profit, among other things? Fear not, Pedro; here's Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. to the rescue! In a press release, Diaz called the push to oust Espada an example of "selective prosecution of Hispanics." After all, isn't it interesting that out of all the Albany lawmakers are under investigation, the only one being pushed out is Hispanic? It's just like that time the Senate expelled Hiram Monserrate—which had everything to do with his race and nothing to do with that time he cut up his girlfriend's face and dragged her through an apartment lobby. more ›

In April, Attorney General Cuomo filed a civil suit against Bronxchester Senator Pedro Espada Jr., accusing him of siphoning $14 million from his non-profit health clinic (which receives millions in taxpayer money) for himself and his family. The lawsuit was filed one day before a team of agents from the FBI, IRS and Cuomo's office raided his Soundview Healthcare Network—investigators were reportedly looking for evidence to support charges of money laundering, mail fraud and tax fraud. And it looks like they found plenty to go on, because the Post reports they're poised to hit Espada with serious criminal charges that could potentially put him behind bars for a decade. more ›