Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Another Espada Subpoena From Cuomo

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The Bronx Board of Elections was served with a subpoena by AG Andrew Cuomo in connection with his ongoing probe into Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr., sources confirm.

A source briefed on the subpoena said the AG's office is seeking 2008 Senate petitions for the 33rd SD.

"A Copy of all petitions was made for our files and a Document and Package Receipt was signed by the Senior Investigator receiving the said information," a board staffer informed elections officials in an e-mail sent yesterday afternoon.


"A copy of the subpoena was filed on the 5th floor in our legal folder and a copy was also faxed down to the general office as soon as it was received."

Last spring, the Bronx DA launched an investigation into Espada's residency, even though the senator beat a court challenge on that same issue during the 2008 campaign.

Last month, Cuomo's office subpoenaed Espada Jr.'s son (Pedro G. Espada) and two other employees of his father's Soundview Management Enterprises. The AG also sought phone, e-mail and other records held by both the senator and his Bronx health clinic.

The majority leader has insisted he will fully cooperate with Cuomo's probe, while also suggesting it is political motivated.

In legal documents filed on Jan. 13, Cuomo maintained Espada had failed to fully comply with an Aug. 25 subpoena to Soundview and said he had found "extensive evidence" of illegal and improper actions by the senator and the companies he controls.

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