Espada's Fraud Trial Wrapping Up After Six Weeks The six-week trial of Pedro Espada Jr., the former state senator whose audacious power grab brought the New York Legislature to a halt in 2009, approached its conclusion on Tuesday, with a federal prosecutor telling the jury during closing arguments that Mr. Espada used a nonprofit health care network that he ran as his own personal A.T.M. Mr. Espada and his son, Pedro Gautier Espada, are accused of embezzling money from the nonprofit group, Soundview Health Center in the Bronx. Prosecutors have said Mr. Espada spent hundreds of thousands of dollars of Soundview's money on extravagant personal items, like lobster, sushi and parties for his family. "The evidence in this case has shown that the defendants have completely disregarded the trust that was placed in them by the patients and doctors of Soundview, and by the American taxpayer," the prosecutor, Todd Kaminsky, said in Federal District Court in Brooklyn. Using an irreverent, sometimes mocking tone, Mr. Kaminsky began his argument by looking closely at one of the reimbursements that Mr. Espada received while he was running Soundview. Mr. Espada spent $119 on oysters and sea bass at the Harbor Restaurant in the Bronx at a dinner for two that Mr. Kaminsky said bore no resemblance to a business expense. "Although it's a small amount, it speaks volumes about who Pedro Espada is," he said. He is willing to lie to his own health care center for $119. Lawyers for Mr. Espada have argued that he was awarded an allowance under his contract and was entitled to bill Soundview for his personal expenses. Mr. Espada, once the highest ranking Hispanic lawmaker in the state, briefly served as majority leader of the State Senate after twice switching parties, a move that deadlocked the Senate before Democrats agreed to give him the new post. He was voted out of office soon afterward, in 2010. Wearing a black suit with his jet black hair slicked back, Mr. Espada buried his nose in a book during the closing argument, steadily turning pages and never looking up even when Mr. Kaminsky ridiculed him. The book, "Black Robes, White Justice," by a former State Supreme Court justice, Bruce Wright, argues that black people cannot find justice in the American legal system. Pacing before the jury and cuing up slides on a computer presentation, Mr. Kaminsky often brought the jury and others in the courtroom to laughter, throwing out one-liners and making fun of Mr. Espada's excuses for spending the money. During the trial, prosecutors had entered receipt after receipt into evidence showing items the prosecution said Mr. Espada paid for with money he stole from the health care clinic. One example was a family trip to Puerto Rico that Mr. Espada took using Soundview's money, spending more than $20,000. "Most individuals try to avoid the minibar," Mr. Kaminsky said, "but when it's Soundview money, spare no expense." Mr. Kaminsky said Mr. Espada stacked the board of Soundview with members of his family, and paid them, so they would not question his improper expenses. "He's paying the person who's looking over his shoulder," he said. That's outrageous. There's a word for that, and it's called corruption. Mr. Kaminsky is expected to finish his closing argument on Wednesday. Afterward, Susan R. Necheles, a lawyer for Mr. Espada, and Russell M. Gioiella, a lawyer for his son, will close for the defense. If convicted, Mr. Espada and his son face a maximum of 10 years in prison for the counts of embezzlement, 5 for the conspiracy charges and fines. During a break, Mr. Espada responded to a reporter's questions about his choice of reading material during the trial. "I read the Bible, too," he said. We all need it. Some people more than others. Like the people at that table. He pointed to the prosecutors" table.