Corruption Case Witness Indicted
By TAMER EL-GHOBASHY
A former Bronx Assemblyman was arraigned Wednesday on a 2009 indictment for perjury in a case authorities said had led to his cooperation in a federal corruption probe that resulted last week in the arrest of a fellow lawmaker.Nelson Castro, a Democrat, resigned from his seat Monday following revelations he was a cooperating witness in the investigation of Democratic Bronx Assemblyman Eric Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson was arrested last Thursday and charged with accepting bribes in exchange for political favors. Mr. Stevenson and his attorney have denied the allegations.
On Wednesday, Mr. Castro pleaded not guilty to three counts of perjury stemming from a secret 2009 indictment by a grand jury following an investigation by the Bronx District Attorney's office—an indictment unsealed only on Wednesday.
Mr. Castro, who was elected in 2009, was released on his own recognizance.
His resignation, announced last week, took effect Monday.
Mr. Castro said last week that the 2009 indictment had led to him to cooperate with state and federal prosecutors. Their investigation ultimately led to Mr. Stevenson's arrest for allegedly accepting $22,000 in bribes in exchange for helping a group of businessmen open adult day-centers in his district, according to a criminal complaint.
If Mr. Castro fulfills his cooperation agreement with prosecutors, the perjury indictment would be dismissed and he would avoid a possible 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison if convicted, his attorney and court papers said.
"Nelson Castro accepts full responsibility for his misconduct and he will honestly and faithfully cooperate in the pending prosecution," and other investigations by federal and state prosecutors, his attorney, Michael Farkas said.
According to the indictment, Mr. Castro lied under oath in August 2008 during testimony before the New York City Board of Elections. The hearing was to determine his eligibility for the ballot in the primary for the 86th Assembly District. Mr. Castro lied when he said he didn't know two people who were in fact assisting his campaign, according to the indictment.
Write to Tamer El-Ghobashy at tamer.el-ghobashy@wsj.com
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