(12/13/06) THE BRONX ? State Senator Efrain Gonzalez Jr. (D-The Bronx) was indicted Wednesday for allegedly conspiring to steal $432,000 in taxpayer money to pay for fancy apartments, Yankees tickets and jewelry for his daughter.

Prosecutors say Gonzalez took advantage of charity groups to hide money he eventually intended to steal. According to investigators, the senator steered state grants to charity groups with the intention of keeping the money for a five-year period.

Gonzalez was first elected in 1990. If convicted, he could face more than 100 years in prison.

Related information: BX Senator Gonzalez surrenders to authorities for allegedly misusing gov't funds