Metro

State Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. indicted for embezzlement

Pedro Espada Jr, the scandal-scarred outgoing state Senate majority leader, was indicted today in Brooklyn federal court for allegedly looting his Bronx health clinic and using the money for lavish meals, Broadway tickets — and a downpayment on a Bentley.

The long-expected indictments came months after Espada – who stalled state government last year when he bolted from the Democratic to Republican party then back again – lost his primary re-election campaign.

Espada and his son, Pedro Gautier Espada, are due in court tomorrow to answer the five embezzlement counts and one count of conspiracy that netted them at least $500,000.

“The indictment alleges that funds that could and should have been applied to purchase medical equipment and enhance health care services for an historically under-served population were diverted by the defendants for their personal use and to benefit friends and family members,” said US Attorney Lynch.

The both face more 55 years in prison.

Between 2005 and 2009, Espada and son, used the Soundview Healthcare Center, which received about a $1 million a year in federal funds alone, as their personal piggy bang, federal prosecutors charged.

Espada founded the clinic in 1978 and had used it as his political base – doling out jobs to friends and political supporters.

Among the charges laid out in the indictment:

–Espada and family charged $100,000 on Soundview’s corporate American Express card for meals, Broadway shows and sporting event tickets.

–Espada and son used their for-profit janitorial company to pay for his campaign headquarters, political mailers, and even a pony rides and a petting zoo outing for a family member’s birthday party.

–Espada attempted to use a $49,000 check from the company to make a down payment on a new Bentley.

–Espada’s son rigged a Soundview’s contract bid so the family’s own janitorial company would win at an inflated price.

Attorney General, and incoming governor, Andrew Cuomo, who sued Espada in civil court earlier this year, added, “Pedro Espada and his son spent years

secretly siphoning money from a healthcare clinic in order to fund Espada’s lavish lifestyle.”

Attorneys for the Espadas had no immediate comment.