Nelson Castro (politician)

In 2008, Castro was first elected to the New York State Assembly in District 86;^[1] the district included the University Heights, Tremont, and Fordham sections of the Bronx.^[2] He succeeded Luis Diaz and became the first Dominican to represent the Bronx in the State Assembly.^[3][4] Castro resigned his Assembly seat on April 8, 2013.^[5]

In July 2009, the Bronx County District Attorney charged Castro with perjury.^[6] The charges were kept secret, and Castro agreed to cooperate with the Bronx County District Attorney and later with the FBI.^[6] Castro proceeded to win re-election in 2010 and 2012, but was living a "double life" as an FBI informant during that time.^[7] Information obtained by Castro was used to prosecute his fellow assemblymember, Eric Stevenson.^[8]

In 2013, Castro's role as an FBI informant became public knowledge during a scandal affecting Stevenson.^[7] Castro later pleaded guilty to the 2009 state charges and the 2013 federal charge against him. In September 2014, Castro received a sentence of two years' probation and 500 hours of community service for his federal crimes.^[1] On November 17, 2014, Castro was given a three-year conditional discharge for his state crimes.^[9]