Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Now Espada's (Allegedly) Stiffing His Tailor


By

John Del Signore

Published Aug 19, 2010

Modified Aug 19, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

John Del Signore

Published Aug 19, 2010

Modified Aug 19, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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.

"The facts are obviously in my favor or else he wouldn't be trying to try this in the media," Espada tells the media. The Bronxchester senator claims he sent the suits back to Rajkumar for alterations, and that's the last he saw of them. But Rajkumar says he never received the suits, and points to a recent photo of Espada: "He says he doesn't have them and he's wearing them!" Fed up, Rajkumar turned the matter over to a collection agency, which is now suing Espada, just like everyone else.

Tagged

bronx

custom suit

pedro espada

suits


John Del Signore

Twitter

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.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims

The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.

By

Arya Sundaram

Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET


Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'

Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.

By

Arya Sundaram

News

Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'

Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.

By

Arya Sundaram


Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

Sean Carlson

NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home

By

Ryan Kost

3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes

By

Michael Sol Warren


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .