By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG - Town of Tusten Justice Ralph Huebner made a ruling in favor of defendant Richard Castellano in one of a number of civil cases heard in small claims court.

However, three others went against him.

Huebner denied a request from Shannon Holland, a former employee of the Narrowsburg International Independent Film Festival. Holland had given Castellano $1,000 to invest in a deal to purchase a number of VCRs. The deal fell through.

"You take a chance when you invest your money," Huebner said in his ruling favoring Castellano. "You can get a lot of money or you can lose you investment. That's business."

"Thanks a lot, judge. It's about time you finally gave one to me," Castellano said.

However, before the ruling, Huebner granted Holland her request for back wages amounting to $2,140.

Castellano and his wife Jocelyne, who was also present in court, said they would file charges against Holland for embezzlement. They claimed she forged three checks and cashed them for herself after they were unable to pay her on time.

In a second complaint brought by Robert and Valerie Vilani of Middletown, Huebner ruled in their favor to pay a promissory note amounting to $2,000.

"These are good people, judge," Castellano said. "I want to pay them back but I just don't have the money."

"There's a lot of wisdom in the idea that one does not lend money to friends, Mr. Castellano," Huebner said.

In a third complaint, Huebner ruled in favor of complainant Sally Yorek for $2,300. Castellano, in exchange for the money, promised Yorek's daughter, Carly Mignoni, a Screen Actors Guild card. She never got the card and the money was never returned.

Castellano remains in jail awaiting trial for three counts of grand larceny. The cases are pending before the Sullivan County Grand Jury.