Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Rent too damn sly! Tenants say Espadas diverted checks

Last Updated: 7:42 AM, April 3, 2012

Posted: 1:17 AM, April 3, 2012

Bronx residents lost weight while Pedro Espada Jr.’s wallet got fatter, prosecutors charged yesterday.

A Weight Watchers manager testified in the former state senator’s federal corruption trial that she rented space in his nonprofit health center — but wrote rent checks payable to a for-profit cleaning company Espada’s family controlled.

The manager, Laurie Stauber, said the weight-loss gurus cut a deal to operate at the Soundview Health Center after an invitation from Norma Ortiz, Espada’s obese top aide, who wanted to become a Weight Watchers client.

DAMNING TESTIMONY: Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. (above) and son Pedro Gautier Espada at federal court in Brooklyn yesterday.
DAMNING TESTIMONY: Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. (above) and son Pedro Gautier Espada at federal court in Brooklyn yesterday.

“Norma Ortiz contacted me and asked me to come in” as a tenant in 1999, Stauber testified in Brooklyn federal court.

At first, there was no charge.

But then the outfit was told it had to cough up $300 a month for rent and make the checks out to CEDC, the acronym for Community Expansion Development Corp., which was run by Espada and his co-defendant son, Pedro Gautier Espada.

Prosecutors charge the Espadas used the cleaning company as their personal piggy bank, funneling money that should have gone to the health center to CEDC to pay for fancy cars, meals and other luxury items totaling more than $500,000. They face up to a decade in prison if convicted of embezzlement and other corruption charges.

Weight Watchers’ rent went up to $500 in 2005, and in November 2008 Ortiz asked that Stauber make the checks out to Soundview Management Enterprises, the new name for CEDC after it was purchased by the nonprofit.

She was one of five witnesses who testified that they rented space at Soundview but were ordered to write checks to CEDC, in some cases for rent and in others for janitorial services.

Two also said they were pressured into making campaign contributions to Espada in 2007.

Dentist Henry Schwartz paid $1,500 rent and $1,000 for janitorial services each month, both to CEDC — and contributed $3,000 to Espada’s campaign.

Under questioning by prosecutors, Schwartz said he felt pressured to make the donation to get a spot in the health center.

Radiologist Boris Kovler said Espada told him he had to pay $2,800 monthly rent to CEDC and $2,500 a month for janitorial services to Soundview Management Enterprises.

“I didn’t question him,” said Kovler, who also gave $6,000 to Espada’s campaign in 2007

Kovler also testified that Espada stole money from him — by billing his patients for services performed by Kovler’s clinic and keeping the money.

jsaul@nypost.com


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/rent_too_damn_sly_IUS3O9QOAKAM67jsm4vR4I#ixzz1qzMKFjYs

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

You need to flex those muscles regularly to keep them strong and resilient.

So if you adopt them punctually, you will be surely able to gain your holistic health very
soon. Most of us love it; going to Mac - Donald or Burger King from time
to time.

My site fitness tips and workouts

Anonymous said...

They do not insert secret or additional advertising in our material.
But be sure to have the old removed first; otherwise the new will not come into play.
therefore no worries and suspend with a correct approach of chat and fun together with your loved ones.


Also visit my web page; Recommended Internet page

Anonymous said...

They aim at miming various good qualities of the counterparts of the
assumed celebrity. We realize that we don't need to listen to outside authorities; we are not guided by our internal authority. If a person is connected with the latest headlines, it will develop an awareness in him with regards to the world which surrounds him.

My web-site Latest Daily News

Anonymous said...

Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting
a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work
on. You have done a outstanding job!

Here is my web-site :: www.tedxyse.com

Anonymous said...

VERY FIRST . . .
Be open!
Search within the mirror and fee your self.

Could you be overweight? Have you got a 1950s haircut?

Do you really outfit like you are on an episode of "Pleased Days?"Believe it or
not . . .
APPEARNACE Is definitely EVERYTHING!

! you reside in a visual society.SECOND . . .


Whenever you approach a lady, what do you realy
say? Kindly don't mention something "physical" in your very own "ice-breaker."
Have you got a good sense of humor? Females choose to laugh.

Feel free to visit my webpage; how to attract women at a bar

Anonymous said...

I feel this is among the so much vital information for me.

And i'm glad studying your article. But should commentary on some general issues, The web site taste is great, the articles is actually great : D. Excellent activity, cheers

Here is my web site :: proactol

Anonymous said...

Your style is really unique in comparison to other people I've read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.

my web site; her solutions where to buy

Anonymous said...

What's up to every one, the contents existing at this site are really awesome for people knowledge, well, keep up the good work fellows.

Here is my web blog; Nike Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I've really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

Feel free to visit my website: nysacpr.org

Anonymous said...

Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles?

I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. Nevertheless think of
if you added some great visuals or video clips to give
your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this website could certainly be one
of the most beneficial in its field. Terrific
blog!

Also visit my page: beat maker programs

Anonymous said...

Asking questions are genuinely nice thing if you are not understanding something fully, however this
paragraph gives good understanding yet.

My web page :: skinception demefface

Anonymous said...

I believe what you typed was very reasonable.
However, think about this, suppose you composed a catchier title?
I am not suggesting your information isn't solid., however suppose you added a post title that grabbed folk's attention?
I mean "Rent too damn sly! Tenants say Espadas diverted checks" is a little
boring. You ought to glance at Yahoo's home page and see how they create post titles to grab people interested. You might add a related video or a related pic or two to grab people interested about everything've written.
Just my opinion, it might make your blog a little livelier.


My blog post: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/somanabolic-muscle-maximizer-review-important-information-factors-in-nutrition-to-build-lean-muscles-247681.htm

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thank you

Feel free to visit my homepage: insomnia and depression

Anonymous said...

We're a bunch of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with helpful info to work on. You've performed a formidable task and our whole neighborhood might be grateful to you.


Feel free to surf to my web site ... cheap male enhancement pills

Anonymous said...

we think with you here. If you've spent the entire being operating with one end aim in your mind and then observe realize that that endpoint isn't exactly what you truly
want, it can allow an emptiness.

my webpage - how to attract women in office