As his sentencing on corruption charges approaches, former state Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr., in a bid for leniency, is claiming that he was nearly molested as a child.
The disgraced former lawmaker made the revelation as part of a routine court filing recounting personal hardships.
“He was the second of six children born to his parents and enjoyed a happy childhood until the age of 5, when he was the victim of an attempted sexual assault by a male relative,” attorney Angel Cruz wrote in a 21-page filing chronicling Espada’s life.
“Mr. Espada is haunted to this day by the terrible memory,” the attorney wrote.
Espada told The Post that he was angry that his lawyer revealed the episode.
“I was not ready for that to come out. I told [the attorney] to take it out,” he said.
The letter was sent to Brooklyn federal Judge Frederic Block, who is scheduled to sentence Espada on June 14.
Espada is facing up to 43 years in prison.