After months of back and forth, the Department of Health (DOH) officially closed the Soundview Healthcare Network tonight and stripped it of its Medicaid status.

The DOH says it asked the network to correct numerous deficiencies in the facility, but it is not disclosing what the problems are. After review, the DOH deemed the changes unacceptable and is now forcing the facility to close and surrender its certificate of operation.

Staff members with the network say the shutdown is because a jury found former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. guilty of stealing $500,000 from the network. The clinic's CEO was also found guilty of theft, fraud and conspiracy, but a judge declared a mistrial on four other counts.

Soundview patients will now have to find other health care providers.

Alejandro Espada, the son of the ex-senator, says he will coordinate with another program to make sure patients are taken care of and that he will be back in court on Monday to fight for patients' rights.

Soundview Healthcare Network files suit for $300KEx-NY Sen. Espada found guilty of embezzlement