Jun 10, 2009 6:08 am US/Eastern
Analyst: Potential Felon Now No. 2 In Power
Baruch College Pundit Muzzio Says He's Stunned At The Overnight Ascension Of Pedro Espada To Governor On-Deck
Bronx Democrat Has Laundry List Of Questionable Issues
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Thanks in part to his own rogue action, Bronx Democrat Pedro Espada is now No. 2 in power in New York State. If something should happen to Gov. Paterson, Espada would be the man.
CBS
No one stands to benefit more than Bronx Democrat Pedro Espada.
He's now just a heartbeat away from the governorship -- even while he's the target of several investigations.
Newly anointed Senate President Pro Tem Espada walked the halls of power Tuesday and helped fire the secretary of the senate, then downplayed jumping ship over $2 million in earmarks his fellow Democrats had denied him.
"Yes, I get a $2 million allocation, but that's not the issue, nor is it anyway involved with the decision to form a coalition government. It's about top to bottom reform of the Senate and the culture of the Senate," Espada said.
While Espada may be espousing reform and a new beginning, political observers said it's just more of what Albany serves up best -- dysfunctionality.
"This guy is really an unsavory character," said Baruch College political analyst Doug Muzzio.
Muzzio said he's stunned at the ascension of Espada, given the political baggage. The Bronx Democrat is under a residency investigation after CBS 2 HD caught him living out of his district -- at a home in Mamaroneck. He's been fined thousands of dollars for not disclosing campaign records. And the state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is investigating Espada's Soundview Healthcare company to see if cash for clinics ended up in campaign coffers.
"He's under investigation for all these things. I mean you have a potential felon as the number two actor in New York state," Muzzio said.
It's true as number two the senate president would take over for Gov. David Paterson if ever needed.
"I do not fully support the scenario of him being next in line," Espada constituent Peter Troche said.
Troche lives in Espada's district and said the senator and the people who orchestrated the Senate coup represent politics as usual.
"Everything is being done at the expense of the public interest due to these political maneuverings," Troche said.
They are maneuverings that have a problem politician once on the outside looking in now in the catbird's seat of power.
Espada has been fined more than $60,000 for failing to file proper campaign finance reports. He has said he'll pay the fines by the end of August.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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