TRR photo by Tom Kane Richard Castellano, right, leaving Tusten Town Court on January 5 with lawyer Jeffrey Schwartz following the postponement of his trial. (Click for larger image)

Castellano criminal case adjourned

Plea bargain possible

By TOM KANE

TUSTEN — The case pending in Town of Tusten Court against actor Richard Castellano, which involves an alleged bad check passed to Narrowsburg chicken farmer John Borg, could have been plea-bargained from a misdemeanor to a violation.

It didn’t happen.

At the Friday, January 5 proceeding, Castellano claimed he had paid $5,000 bail in the Town of Highland court when he was arraigned for writing the bad check about six months ago. (Payment was made to the Town of Highland because Tusten Town Justice Ralph Huebner was away.) If Castellano indeed made the bail payment, this amount will be given to John Borg as restitution.

Castellano did not have proof that this payment was made, so the plea deal fell through. However, Tusten Town Justice Ralph Huebner granted Castellano, through his lawyer, Jeffrey Schwartz of New York City, an adjournment until next Friday at 10:30 a.m. to allow Castellano to produce proof that he paid the bail.

Assistant District Attorney Craig Cecchini agreed.

“If he presents the proof, then the plea bargain to a lesser sentence will take place and restitution made,” Schwartz said. “It will happen.”

“Our main interest is that the victim (Borg) gets his money back,” said District Attorney Stephen Lungen. “If Castellano produces the proof, gets the money and gives it to Borg, then it’s over. If he doesn’t, we’re off to trial.”

On Thursday, January 4, The River Reporter learned that a warning had been issued from the Fox Network program Crime Stoppers, which said that someone was planning to do Castellano bodily damage at Friday’s proceeding. State police were alerted, and were stationed nearby in case of any incident. There was no violence or attempt at violence during the proceeding.

Castellano refused to comment.