Dem Assemblyman Calls Espada a "Thug"
Truth in politics?
Friday, Sep 4, 2009 | Updated 7:00 PM EST
AP
Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr.
A Democratic assemblyman says Democratic Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada should quit, saying the Bronx senator who mounted this summer's coup is a thug.
In a rare, intraparty slap, Buffalo's Mark Schroeder says he's offended that Espada is a perceived leader.
"He's a thug," Schroeder says.
Schroeder has no power to force a vote in the Senate.
Espada made a Senate coup possible in June by siding with Republicans, who gave him a top leadership post. A month later, he returned to the Democrats to restore their majority, in exchange for another leadership post. Soon after, Espada's son was hired then withdrew from a high-paying Senate job.
Espada also is being investigated for state grants directed to his health clinic.
There was no immediate comment from Espada.
