NY state senator charged with embezzlement

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York and federal authorities say state Sen. Pedro Espada and his son have been indicted on six charges that they embezzled more than $500,000 from the Bronx health clinic Espada founded.

The Democrat, who lost his fall re-election bid, and his son Pedro Gautier Espada are accused of taking money from Comprehensive Community Development Corp., a federally funded not-for-profit known as Soundview.

State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says they could face up to 10 years in prison on each of five embezzlement charges, five years for the single conspiracy count and fines of $250,000 on each.

The indictment by U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch in Brooklyn follows a joint investigation.

Espada didn’t immediately return a request for comment.