A federal judge on Thursday cut disgraced former Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro a break, saying he’s sparing the politician-turned-informant from prison because of his “historic” work as a government mole helping weed out political corruption in Albany.
Manhattan federal Judge Paul Engelmayer sentenced the Bronx Democrat to two years probation that includes 500 hours of community service on a conviction for making false statements to federal officials.
“For all your warts and misdeeds you did something about [the corruption],” the judge said. “You helped clean house and perhaps your cooperation will lead others [in Albany] to think twice.”
The sentencing ends a unique six-year, roller-coaster ride for Castro in which he helped the feds score corruption convictions against former Assemblyman Eric Stevenson (D-Bronx) and five others while secretly working as a cooperating Albany mole — only to then get busted for lying to prosecutors about a media interview.
Castro’s legal woes began in 2008 when he was busted by Bronx prosecutors on perjury charges. He eventually became a government witness as part of a non-prosecution cooperation agreement.
However, Castro, in August 2013, pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators by claiming he had not talked to a reporter for an article months earlier. That conviction meant he broke his cooperation agreement. The following day he pled guilty to 2008 Bronx perjury charges. He will be sentenced on that case next month.
Castro said he was “relieved” by Engelmayer’s ruling and hopes to serve his community service by teaching citizenship classes in the Bronx.
Castro, who resigned from the Assembly in April 2013, had told The Post a month later he wanted to run for office again. He no longer can seek elected office due to his convictions.