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Ex-NY Democrat Leader Espada Faces New Charges

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Pedro Espada Jr. and his son, Pedro G. Espada, were charged with tax evasion in addition to theft and embezzlement charges.

The Espadas were accused of cheating on their taxes, as well as stealing more than $500,000 from their health clinic in the Bronx.

Both men have pleaded not guilty.

At a brief court hearing on March 4, a Brooklyn judge scheduled jury selection for Sept. 12. An indictment charges them with embezzling more than $500,000 from their federally funded Bronx health clinic.

Prosecutors said the senator used the funds to splurge on expensive meals and pony rides for a family birthday party.

The Espadas were free on $750,000 bail.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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