Soundview Residents Sound Off On Espada Lawsuit
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While State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. says he's confident his constituents still support him, many residents living in the district say this latest criminal investigation is the last straw. NY1's Dean Meminger filed the following report.As Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service agents removed boxes of potential evidence from Pedro Espada Junior's Soundview Healthcare Network Wednesday, quite a few people said they weren't surprised the State Senator is accused of stealing millions from the clinic.
"That is long overdue, that should have happened five years ago," said one Bronx resident.
"I don't trust them, that is all I have to say. I don't trust none of them. I vote, but I don't have confidence in them," said another.
"I'm indignant, I'm mad because as a Puerto Rican I see my people in need and here you got this guy who was elected by the Puerto Rican community and he has turned his back on them and taken the money," said a third.
But others say they do like the health care facility. And Espada insists his community has his back.
"My community reelected me to the senate as it will now. And I will continue with the help of my colleagues to continue to be a majority leader of the senate. A first for the Hispanic community, a first for the Bronx," Espada said.
As more than a dozen FBI and IRS agents collected evidence at the clinic, the doors remained open so patients could go to their check ups.
"People need to be served. So you're gonna need to have somebody to come in and still service the patients. So that's what I'm concerned about," said Dr. Larry Chiaramonte of the Soundview Healthcare Network.