Lieutenant governor hopeful Bill Samuels, who’s vying to compete on the Democratic line, is using a major independent expenditure initiative to go after Democratic Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. – who’s rapidly becoming the poster boy for Albany corruption.

Samuels, who has been raising money for the New Roosevelt Initiative’s IE, aimed at electing candidates it considers pro-reform to the legislature, said Espada will be target number one.

“Pedro Espada represents all that is wrong with state government today,” said Samuels. “He’s a wealthy guy from one of the wealthiest parts of Westchester who lines his pockets with taxpayer money yet fails to address the real needs of his district – in which he doesn’t even live.”

He added, “No one is more of an embarrassment to New York state than Pedro Espada.”

The initiative has pledged a minimum of $250,000 to its legislative elected effort.

Last week, Espada’s one challenger so far, Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, declared her candidacy.