From DemocratandChronicle.com:

The legal and political troubles for embattled Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada grew Wednesday as law-enforcement officials raided his government-funded health clinic in the Bronx and some senators called for him to step down as majority leader.

Agents from the FBI, IRS and the state Attorney General’s Office descended on the Soundview Healthcare Network about 7 a.m., removing boxes of potential evidence. Officials said Espada may face a number of criminal charges, ranging from wire and mail fraud, to money laundering and theft of government funds.

Espada, who has said that he is innocent, called Wednesday’s developments “politically fueled.”

Espada received an excused absence from the legislative session on Wednesday, leaving Democrats without the 32 votes necessary to pass any major bills. Democrats hold a 32-30 majority.

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