Pedro Espada Jr., before the conviction

Espada, former NY state senator from the Bronx, was found guilty “on four counts of stealing from non-profit medical clinics that received federal funding” Monday, according to an FBI release.

Pedro Espada Jr. speaks at a rally in Albany, NY, in support of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, January 12, 2012

NY legislators Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, state Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, and Espada at the rally, January 12, 2012

Albany watchers of different political persuasions, including Wayne Barrett, then of the Village Voice, accused now state Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman of being too cozy with Espada, though Schneiderman did call for him to step down later in 2010.

One of his more noble causes was to support the Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights along with other legislators. Not sure how much comfort that will give him if he gets the maximum sentence, 10 years on each count, but it’s probably comforting to folks who cozied up to him, with noses held, to get the bill passed.