Espada, son plead not guilty to new charges

A former New York state senator and his son have pleaded not guilty to a revised indictment accusing them of filing false tax returns.

Pedro Espada Jr. and his son, Pedro G. Espada, entered their plea in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday. They were named in a superseding indictment prosecutors announced last week. Prosecutors say the Espadas diverted money from their federally funded Bronx health clinic to splurge on expensive meals, concerts and family birthday parties.

The new indictment charges them with conspiracy and subscribing to false and fraudulent tax returns. The Espadas already were charged with embezzling more than $500,000 from the clinic. They pleaded not guilty to those charges. Their trial is set for Sept. 12.