A judge today ordered former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. and his defense lawyer to patch up their differences, rejecting the lawyer’s bid to dump the disgraced pol.
Espada and his attorney, Daniel Hochheiser, traded pointed, personal barbs in front of Manhattan federal Judge William Pauley III.
The judge then took his own shots, at Espada, but ordered the unhappy defense duo to stick together.
“The application to withdraw as counsel is denied,” Pauley ruled.
“Mr. Hochheiser’s demeanor indicated forthrightness in contrast to Mr. Espada’s representations which were self-serving, and this court does not credit them.”
Hochheiser told the judge he wanted out because the long-winded Espada — the former state Senate majority leader convicted in May of looting the Bronx non-profit he founded — wasn’t paying him and was a horribly uncooperative client.
“It’s difficult to communicate with Mr. Espada because he tends to filibuster,” said Hochheiser, referring to an incident where it took 10 hours over several meetings to discuss one simple letter from prosecutors.
“It’s very difficult to keep Mr. Espada focused on the facts of the issue.”
It was always hard to schedule meetings with the high-maintenance Espada, according to Hochheiser.
“Not only did I have numerous meetings with Mr. Espada at my office, but we also met [at my home and in restaurants] because he used to be [a] VIP,” he said.
Espada cut in, boasting: “I take exception to this ‘used to be!’”
The corrupt pol fired back, claiming Hochheiser met with him only about five times in total — “mostly about his demands for money.”
Espada also said he hired the downtown firm Hochheiser & Hochheiser LLP — not for Daniel Hochheiser but for his renowned dad Lawrence Hochheiser.
“Mr. Daniel Hochheiser is not the reason I’ve retained Hochheiser & Hochheiser,” Espada said. “Lawrence Hochheiser is the reason I retained Hochheiser & Hochheiser.”
Daniel Hochheiser reluctantly accepted the challenge.
“I accept you honor’s ruling. I will do my best,” he said.
The judge responded: “I’m confident you will do a fine job. You have a difficult client.”
Espada’s set to go on trial on Nov. 5 for tax evasion, connected to money he stole from the Soundview Healthcare clinics in the Bronx.
Espada has already been convicted, in a Brooklyn federal court, of looting taxpayer money through Soundview.
Additional reporting by David K. Li and Bruce Golding