Albany, NY…January 13, 2010 – Citing the serious legal and ethical violations uncovered by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, New York Republican State Chairman Edward F. Cox today called for the removal of State Senator Pedro Espada as Majority Leader of the State Senate.

“Senate Democrats appointed Senator Espada Majority Leader and now that he has become the latest member of their conference to face serious corruption charges, he should either step down or they should remove him,” Chairman Cox said.  “Either way, Senator Espada needs to go.”

“It’s ironic that the leaders of the Senate Democrat conference would stand up today to talk about ethics reform while their members have repeatedly demonstrated reprehensible behavior.  One member of the Democratic conference was already convicted of a crime and faces expulsion, a second faces indictment for assault and a third, Senator Espada, is being investigated for multiple legal violations by the Attorney General and could face felony charges,” Cox said.

The Attorney General announced today that, after a nine-month, in-depth investigation he has found extensive evidence of legal violations by Senator Espada involving state grants he obtained for a network of health clinics the Senator operates in New York City.  This announcement follows the assault conviction of Senator Hiram Monserrate and a report that is expected to recommend that he be censured or removed from office; and the indictment against Senator Kevin Parker for felony assault after he allegedly attacked a New York Post photographer.

“Right now, almost 10 percent of the Senate Democrat conference is in trouble with the law, including their appointed Majority Leader,” Cox said.  “Senator Sampson, Senator Smith and the other members of that conference should deliver a strong message to the people of this state by acting as soon as possible to remove Senator Espada from the position of Majority Leader.”

###