Jun 23, 2009 6:00 am US/Eastern
More Problems: Espada Infringing On Klein's Turf
CBS 2 Has Learned Renegade Dem At Center Of Albany Coup Is Trying To Open Office In Fellow Senator's District
ALBANY (CBS) ―
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Bronx Sen. Pedro Espada (file)
CBS
Problems are mounting for state Sen. Pedro Espada, the renegade Democrat at the center of the Albany power struggle.
As CBS 2 HD found out, his latest troubles are all a matter of location and money.
Espada was surrounded by a sea of empty seats -- Democratic seats -- as joined Republicans in once again trying to hold a Senate session on Monday.
The controversial Democrat has yet another problem. CBS 2 HD has learned that the district office that he plans to open at 400 East Fordham Road in the Bronx is actually not in the area he represents. It's in Sen. Jeffrey Klein's district.
"The only thing I can say is Pedro Espada plays by Pedro Espada's rules. The rest of us are here to do the people's business," Klein said.
A major stumbling black to getting the Senate back to work is the resistance by Democrats to allowing Espada to be temporary president of the Senate and acting lieutenant governor. He would be governor if anything happened to David Paterson. Some senators said Espada's problems -- he's being investigated by Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo -- disqualify him from holding the post.
"There are ethical questions and legal questions about him. And even if you are governor for 10 minutes there are pardon powers," said Sen. Liz Kruger, D-Manhattan. "Some people have even raised the question of whether he'd pre-pardon himself."
Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans are trying to work out a power-sharing deal before Gov. Paterson calls a special session on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
"At that time we hope that we will have given back to the people of New York what they have lost in terms of governance over the last couple of weeks," Paterson said.
So if there is a deal the big question is whether Sen. Espada resides over the Senate.
CBS 2 HD has also learned of even more trouble for Espada. He owes the state $13,553 for not filing proper campaign reports during last year's Senate race.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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