Protesters: Espada "Represents The Worst" Of Politics

Mocking Senator Pedro Espada with shirts that parodied a movie election, protesters gathered in front of the embattled majority leader's Mamaroneck home Saturday to give him an earful.

Protesters wore shirts that said "Don't Vote for Pedro," a play on the "Vote for Pedro" slogan for a fictional class president in the 2004 movie Napoleon Dynamite.

Many of the protesters were former supporters of the senator, who remains in office despite faith-shaking revelations and accusations. Among them -- the accustion that Espada lives in Mamaroneck, instead of a Bronx apartment in his district, which he claims is his address.

Espada, who makes nearly $500,000 a year as CEO of his own charity -- in addition to money he earns as a state senator -- is also accused of stealing $14 million from that same charity. Among the accusations of lavish spending are $20,000 in tabs from Mamaroneck sushi restaurants, and the lawsuit also alleges Espada makes his charity foot the bill for his empty Bronx apartment.

Protesters traveled by bus from New York City to Espada's home on Beechwood Drive. The rally didn't result in any confrontations, although a few of Espada's neighbors grew frustrated with the protest on the dead-end street.

The day marked exactly one year since Espada installed himself as majority leader through a coup. While his political fortunes looked extraordinary then, twelve months removed he is facing palpable public anger.

"Politics is a game of consequence," said Margaret Segal, a member of Citizen Action of New York. "We hope there will be consequences for Pedro Espada for his disgraceful, self-serving behavior."

Espada's facing two lawsuits filed by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, which detail the alleged laundering of $14 million from Soundview Healthcare, a government-funded clinic in the Bronx. According to the lawsuits, Espada spent this money on things like Vegas vacations and his own political campaign, in addition to the sushi deliveries to his Mamaroneck home.

Protesters mocked him for that too, marching down Mamaroneck Avenue and convening at Columbus Park, where they ate sushi.

And at his house, they left the senator a gift basket filled with more sushi, "a red mesh jersey because he plays for the Republicans now," and "a voter registration form in case he wants to actually register to vote at his real house here in Mamaroneck," said Al Benninghoff, as he addressed the crowd with a megaphone.

Espada's Mamaroneck home is central to the lawsuit. As a state senator serving the Bronx, he's accused of breaking the residency requirements that say he has to live in the district he represents.

"He represents the worst of what public service is about," said Bill Samuels, a Democratic activist. "It's supposed to be an honor when voters give someone a chance to improve their community."

The protesters said they weren't done expressing their displeasure -- they intend to make any potential Espada re-election bid difficult when it's time to vote.

"I think this is an issue that a lot of New Yorkers don't pay attention to," said Emmy Suzuki Harris of the Manhattan Young Democrats. "We felt the best way was to really raise a fuss, get it in the news, and then get people working on campaigns to elect better officials."

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