Rivera raked in $83K over last six months

Rivera has had a successful fundraising period.

Bronx State Sen. Gustavo Rivera, elected to office in 2010 after defeating the embattled Pedro Espada Jr. in the 33rd District, has raised a solid $83,121.60 in the last six months, according to the most recent campaign filings with the New York State Board of Elections.

Looking at this handy spreadsheet, put together by Bill Mahoney of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Rivera is only outpaced in the Bronx by fundraising heavyweight state Sen. Jeff Klein and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who is toying with the idea of running for a citywide office. Diaz raised $90,880.13 and Klein raked in over $300,000.

We took a minute to chat with Rivera, who said the successful fundraising has been another reminder that he works for the people.

"I think that’s definitely very humbling," he said. Rivera added that this success is reminiscent of the election, when a larger-than-expected amount of people came out to support him.

"This is a very big show of support that im very appreciative of. It reminds me of all the people I'm working for--the folks in my district."

Rivera did spend just over $39,000 this period, giving him a total balance of $64,964.24 when including funds he already had.

He said he hasn't heard any rumblings of a challenger for the Democratic primary, but did say that "I want to make sure I have the strongest filing possible so I can continue to represent the Bronx."

As for the primary itself: "We don’t even know when the primary will be. We have to figure that out up here [in Albany]."

We put the spreadsheet below the jump. It was slowing down the whole blog.

From one amigo to another: Diaz Sr. wants to hand over power to the IDC to regain Senate control

Diaz would like to see the Senate Democrats hand over
leadership positions to the IDC to help regain the majority.

State Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. really brought it this time with his "What you should know" essay.

He says the Democrats in the state senate should give state Sen. Jeff Klein and the rest of his Independent Democratic Conference members leadership positions if they agree to come back to the Democratic Party.

They should start negotiating right away with Senator Jeff Klein and his three Independent Members – even to the point, if necessary, for the New York State Senate to transfer Senator Klein’s leadership position and the leadership positions of his Members to the Democratic Conference.

Everyone needs to put aside all personal differences – and pride – and do with Senator Klein and his Members as was done with Pedro Espada when the Democrats wanted him back.

Diaz, as most remember, was one of the 'four amigos' that held the Democratic Conference hostage in 2009 after jumping to the Republican side. They only returned after they were given leadership positions, with head honcho Pedro Espada Jr. becoming Majority Leader. 

Diaz won't have the full support of his fellow Dems, however. A Democratic senate insider tells us that they will not be toyed with like they were with the Amigos. 

"Senator Diaz does not speak for his colleagues," the source said. "We will not allow the Democratic Conference or the state Senate to be taken hostage by another four amigos who care more about power than they do about the future of New York State."

A message was left with the IDC's spokesman as of Wednesday evening. 

Jump below for Diaz's full statement (the bold is his):

Espada indicted some more

Espada has been indicted again, this time for
allegedly lying to the feds about a janitorial service.

Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. and his son, Pedro G., have been indicted again.

This time, the indictment claims the Espada's scammed hundreds of thousands of dollars from the not-for-profit Soundview Healthcare Network, of which the elder Espada is CEO.

The superseding indictment that appears below was handed down late yesterday.

It adds two counts of false statement, alleging Espada lied to the feds about profits he and his son made from a janitorial service they set up to contract with Soundview.

The indictment claims that at the time Soundview was looking to contract out the janitorial services, Espada and his son called the prospective companies and told them more work would need to be done than actually did. When those companies submitted bids, their costs to do business was significantly higher than Espada's company, which was rewarded the contract. Soundview paid the company $389,700 in 2008. Espada claimed he only made $35,000 from this contract, but the feds claim he actually took in over $120,000 from the arrangement.

The Espada's deny everything. Arraignment is next Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 5 p.m.

Here is the full indictment. The information about the alleged fraud, conspiracy and embezzlement begins on page five. Espada Indictment S-2

Rivera's chief of staff leaves for Central Labor Council

Bronx state Sen. Gustavo Rivera's chief of staff, Marco Carrion, is leaving his position to begin working as the legislative/political director for the NYC Central Labor Council.

Capitol Tonight reported the departure, and we spoke to Rivera's communications director Conchita Cruz and confirmed it. Cruz, in fact, is replacing Carrion as chief of staff.

Carrion had great things to say about both Rivera and Cruz:

“The Senator and I have been close friends for many years – this change is in no way an end to our partnership and collaborations. I am confident that I am leaving Senator Rivera in good hands – Conchita’s national political experience and wide networks will enhance Senator Rivera’s already rising national and statewide profile as a Latino leader.”

He was Rivera's campaign manager during the 2010 election, when Rivera easily took down the embattled Pedro Espada, Jr. This isn’t Carrion’s first stint with organized labor: prior to working with Rivera, he worked for the UFT and also for the AFL-CIO – both in New York and at the national level. 

Jump below for more.

Espada defends Soundview

Pedro Espada defends his Bronx healthcare
network at a press conference yesterday

By David Greene

Former state Senator Pedro Espada came out swinging against at least two articles attributed to unnamed sources that stated Espada's Soundview Healthcare Network will be closing for good on Friday, Aug. 12.

Joined by Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz, Sr., Espada held a press conference on Tuesday, Aug. 9, where he singled out Gov. Andrew Cuomo, charging that the governor, "is picking the target and firing these missiles."

Stating that he is fighting for the 200 worker's currently employed by the Soundview Healthcare Network and it's thousands of patients, the former senator vowed, "This clinic will not close... the body is alive, the mind is well, were not planning any burials."

Diaz released a letter he sent to Cuomo later in the day, saying, "Since  your  announcement of the indictments and civil court filings, there is  a  growing  perception by many that you have a personal score to settle with Mr. Espada regardless of the due process to which he is entitled to by the court."

Later in the letter, he pleaded with the governor: "Please  keep  in  mind  that  the  Soundview HealthCare  Network  serves a minority-represented  community  and  assists the underserved. It cares for those who cannot always care for themselves, speak for themselves, and help themselves."

According to the New York Post (one of the reports with the unnamed sources), the state Medicaid Inspector General's Office was considering stripping Soundview of $10 million for a plethora of ethical abuses -- which could trigger closure of the clinics.