Lawmaker Who Spied on Colleagues Pleads Guilty

NEW YORK (AP) —

A former New York state assemblyman from the Bronx who infamously wore a wire which entrapped several of his fellow lawmakers pleaded guilty Tuesday to making false statements in a cooperation deal with federal prosecutors.

Nelson Castro entered the plea in federal court in Manhattan. Prosecutors said Castro lied to criminal investigators with the prosecutor’s office when he said he had not spoken to the media in May and had not revealed his cooperation in a corruption case.

His lawyer, Michael Farkas, said afterward that Castro takes full responsibility for making false statements. He said Castro also has agreed to plead guilty to corruption charges pending against him in the Bronx.

His plea agreement calls for Castro to cooperate fully with investigators. Prosecutors may write a letter to a sentencing judge recommending leniency. Castro resigned this year after admitting he taped colleagues.

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