TRR photo by Tom Kane Richard Castellano, right, and his lawyer Jeffrey Schwartz listen to District Attorney Stephen Lungen. (Click for larger image)

That’s a wrap

Castellano receives one-year sentence

By TOM KANE

MONTICELLO — After many months and several attempts by the Sullivan County Court, actor Richard Castellano was sentenced on May 30.

The actor received a one-year sentence to the Sullivan County Jail.

To avoid a jury trial, Castellano pled guilty, two months ago, to one count of attempted grand larceny in the fourth degree.

He owes $12,000 to four students of his acting school for taking money with a promise to obtain waivers for a Screen Actors Guild card. He failed to get the card and spent the money.

Up to the day before the sentencing, Castellano was able to pay about $3,000. On the day of sentencing, Jeffrey Schwartz of New York City, the actor’s lawyer and a friend of 10 years, presented another $5,000 from Castellano’s wife Jocelyne, who did not appear in court.

Sullivan County Judge Frank LaBuda postponed further sentencing for three other one-year terms, giving Castellano time to raise the full amount of compensation, which the court ordered.

“The court wants to have the victims made whole above all else,” LaBuda said to Castellano. “You are still in violation of your promise to make amends.”

If Castellano does not pay the remaining $4,000 by June 22, he will be sentenced to three additional years in the county jail, LaBuda said.

Schwartz promised that the remaining money would be paid by Jocelyne’s parents, who live in South Africa.

Sentencing was first attempted on April 9, but the defendant was in Cornell-Weil Hospital in New York City allegedly suffering from Parkinsons disease. Then on May 11, Castellano did not show in court and LaBuda issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Schwartz told the court Castellano was in Bellevue Hospital after being picked up by EMS while walking half naked on the Eastside of the city.

“The sorrowful part is that Richie has received several phone calls with possible acting jobs,” Schwartz said. “He could be making money if he weren’t in jail. When he gets out, there will be other acting jobs waiting for him.”