AG Andrew Cuomo said this morning it’s completely “appropriate” for senators to be asked to publicly state whether they believe scandal-scarred Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. should retain his leadership post after he’s been charged by the AG with allegedly looting his Bronx nonprofit of more than $14 million.

“I think it’s a legitimate question to his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, frankly, because he’s been on both sides of the aisle, right?” Cuomo said during an interview with WGDJ-AM Talk 1300. “So I think it’s a legitimate question.”

“…I’m still truly amazed, and I actually said this when I was running for attorney general, but it’s only gotten worse over three years, the lack of trust in the public officials – especially in Albany,” the AG continued.

“You know we hear so much talk about the health care and Obama and the gridlock and anger towards Washington. I think the feeling towards Albany, the lack of trust, the cynicism, I tell you, I feel it everywhere.”

Cuomo declined to say whether he believes Espada should heed the call from some of his colleagues to voluntarily relinquish his title and the perks that go with it, saying it would be wrong for him to do so while his office continues to investigate the senator.

“I don’t think that’s my place to say, given my position and the circumstances here,” the AG said.

A number of upstate senators, including Neil Breslin, Darrel Aubertine and Dave Valesky, have said Espada should give up his majority leader post.

Would-be AG candidates like Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice and Sen. Eric Schneiderman have concurred, drawing fire from their primary opponent, Eric Dinallo, who says it’s not appropriate for anyone who wants to succeed Cuomo – and might inherit this case – to comment on it at all.

Meanwhile, Espada continues to be supported by Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson, who has noted there’s no precedent for any state lawmaker facing civil, not criminal, charges to be stripped of his or her title and lulu.

Cuomo confirmed the subpoena he served on the Senate yesterday is intended to get at the “double-dipping” question about Soundview employees who were also on the public payroll working for Espada.

The AG said he’s also interested in the “circumstances” surrounding the hiring of some of Espada’s staff, which was beefed up considerably after he agreed to return to the Democratic fold to end the 31-day stalemate last summer.

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