Former Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro Avoids Jail Time For Government Cooperation
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - There are many crimes in former Bronx assemblyman Nelson Castro's past, but on Thursday, the judge didn't focus on those.
Instead, the judge focused on Castro's four years as a government cooperator in which he wore a wire and brought down another crooked politician, including Eric Stevenson and five others, WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported.
U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer sentenced Nelson Castro to 250 hours of community service and two years of probation after he pleaded guilty a year ago to lying to criminal investigators about whether he had spoken to the media and revealed his cooperation. He still faces sentencing on state charges in the Bronx.
Stevenson was charged with accepting $22,000 in cash bribes and campaign contributions in exchange for a legislative bill that would give four Bronx businessmen preferential treatment in building senior daycare centers.
The judge told Castro, "with all your warts and misdeeds, you cleaned house. By covertly taping public officials, you uncovered bribery. Perhaps those Albany politicians will think twice before engaging in criminal acts."
Castro, a Bronx Democrat, began cooperating in 2009 while still a candidate almost immediately after he was told he was facing a perjury charge in a corruption investigation. For two terms in the Assembly, he wore a wire at times as part of his undercover work. He resigned office after his cooperation was revealed last year.
Before the sentence was announced, the government urged leniency from sentencing guidelines that otherwise would have called for a prison sentence of 12 to 18 months.
Castro told the judge he ran for public office because he cared about his neighborhood and its residents.
But he said those who elected him to office deserved better.
As part of his plea deal Castro resigned from the Assembly in April 2013.
"Today I announce that I am resigning my seat in the New York State Assembly, effective Monday, April 8, 2013. On July 31, 2009, I was indicted by a Bronx County Grand Jury for committing perjury in a 2008 civil matter, held prior to my election to the Assembly. I appreciate the seriousness of my misconduct," Castro said, admitting he was thereafter involved in the investigation into Stevenson — and others. "I deeply regret my misconduct while campaigning before I was elected to office. It is my sincere hope that my constituents remember me most for the good I have done as their representative, rather than for the poor example I set as a candidate."
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