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Feds Love Prosecuting Pedro Espada So Much They're Doing It Again!
By
John Del Signore
Published May 16, 2012
Modified May 16, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published May 16, 2012
Modified May 16, 2012
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We were worried there for a minute that convicted thief Pedro Espada, Jr. would quickly fade from the public consciousness now that his embezzlement trial is over, taking his crucifix and conspiracy theories with him. But have no fear—the disgraced ex-State Senator from Bronxchester will be haunting the Brooklyn federal courthouse steps for months to come, because sources tell the Wall Street Journal the feds are expected to prosecute Espada all over again on the four federal counts on which a jury couldn't agree.
Espada's son, Pedro G, will also be prosecuted again, according to the Journal's sources. In the first trial, the jury could not agree to convict Pedro G on any of the allegations that he joined his father in embezzling half a million dollars from the nonprofit health clinic they ran. Espada was convicted on four counts of theft, for which he faces ten years each. The two also face a separate criminal tax fraud trial in Manhattan federal court.
Meanwhile, the poor Bronx residents who relied on the Soundview Health Clinic for low-cost medical care are scrambling to get help elsewhere. Soundview has stopped offering many services, and the Daily News reports that the cash-strapped Bronx clinic hasn't paid for medical malpractice insurance for more than a month. Money is so short that one doctor reportedly had to use her own money purchase epinephrine to treat severe asthma attacks.
On top of that, the New York State Department of Health is also trying to expel Soundview from the Medicaid program, and hasn't given Soundview any funding since 2010. Another son of Mr. Espada's, Alejandro Espada, says this isn't fair, because Pedro Espada stepped down after he was indicted. "Once he had taken a leave of absence, I didn't understand why we shouldn't be treated as any other Medicaid provider,'' Alejandro Espada tells the Journal.
Tagged
corruption
embezzlement
pedro espada
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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