2 Democrats who grabbed headlines for NY Senate coup, legal woes lose election bids
By APWednesday, September 15, 2010
NY pols with legal woes who staged coup lose bids
NEW YORK — A pair of New York Democrats who grabbed headlines for legislative antics and legal woes have gone under the political steamroller.
Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx was trounced by Gustavo Rivera in Tuesday’s primary. Former Sen. Hiram (HEYE’-ruhm) Monserrate (mahn-suh-RAHT’) of Queens lost his Assembly bid to Francisco Moya.
In 2009, Espada and Monserrate staged a monthlong state Senate coup by joining a Republican-dominated coalition that overthrew the majority.
Espada is accused of illegally directing millions of dollars in government grants to his health clinic.
Monserrate was expelled from the Senate in February after a misdemeanor assault conviction involving his girlfriend.
