Former New York State Senator Pedro EspadaNEW YORK (AP) - A judge has declared a mistrial in the case against the son of former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr.
Pedro Gautier Espada was accused alongside his father of looting money from a low-income health care network to fund a lavish lifestyle of fancy cars, dinners and birthday pony rides.
Jurors on Monday convicted the former state senator on four counts of embezzlement. Later in the day, a judge declared a mistrial in the remaining conspiracy and tax fraud counts against the politician and in all counts against his son.
Prosecutors said the Espadas used the Bronx-based Soundview Health Care Network as a personal ATM while the network's services languished. Their lawyers argued the two men may have made a lot of money, but it was their company and they were allowed to do so.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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