TRR photo by Tom Kane Richard Castellano apologizes to John Borg in Town of Tusten Court. (Click for larger image)

Castellano delivers
the goods in court

John Borg gets 5K

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG — For the second time in a week, Narrowsburg chicken farmer John Borg was in the Town of Tusten Court to collect $5,000 from Richard Castellano for a bad check Castellano gave him six months ago.

The court and the DA’s office agreed to plea-bargain the misdemeanor charge for writing the bad check to a violation, providing Castellano could prove he paid $5,000 in bail at the time of his arrest, and Castellano provided proof.

As part of the bargain, Borg got the $5,000. But that wasn’t the only condition. In addition, Castellano must: get no more violations except a traffic ticket; not patronize an establishment that serves alcohol; obtain a job or vocational training; make restitution fully to Borg, including repayment of $28.50 bank charge for the bounced check; pay a three-percent fee to the Town of Tusten Court in the amount of $150; and refrain from writing checks of any kind. Money orders will be used to pay Castellano’s bills, said Tusten Justice Ralph Huebner.

These conditions are in effect from now until mid-July.

In court, Castellano was unable to pay the fees he owed ($150 and 28.50). He was ordered to make payment by January 19.

Castellano who has continually refused to be interviewed, did consent to an interview prior to his court appearance. In the interview, Castellano said he is beginning an action to bring his former attorney, Deb Ireland, up on charges. Charges include false accusations allegedly made by Ireland against Castellano and his wife, Jocelyne, causing Jocelyne to be falsely arrested; harassment of Jocelyn on numerous occasions; breaking the attorney-client privilege; and injuring Castellano’s ability to make a living.

”These charges are totally ridiculous,” said Ireland in response to the allegations. “His idea of a defense is to attack.”

Ireland denied that she breached the attorney-client privilege. “The things that I revealed in court … he had told to many people, so it was not privileged information,” she said.

Castellano also accused Armondo Bilancione, a former student in Castellano’s acting school, of threatening his life and that of his wife. Castellano claimed Bilancione said he would drop his part in the criminal action against Castellano, who allegedly took money falsely, promising to get waivers for Screen Actors Guild cards for four students in his acting school, if Castellano would pay him $25,000.

Castellano said he refused. Then, Castellano said, Bilancione threatened the pair.

“Richard has lied to us from the beginning and is continuing his lying even now,” Bilancione said. “I never offered him any deal to drop the charges in exchange for $25,000, and I certainly never threatened his life nor his wife’s life.

“Castellano lies continuously,” Bilancione said.