Castro pleads not guilty of misusing govt vehicle
Corrections director Gregory Castro pleaded not guilty yesterday to the alleged misuse of a government vehicle.
At his arraignment, Castro appeared pro se, without a lawyer. Assistant attorney general Jonathan L. Wilberscheid represented the government.
The Superior Court had found Castro not qualified for a court-appointed counsel.
Castro pleaded not guilty to three traffic charges, which carry a maximum penalty of three days in prison and $1,500 fine.
Castro’s first alleged offense is a violation of the law that government vehicles are only to be used for official government business. The other charge was for driving a tinted government vehicle. The last offense is for using a government vehicle without official markings.
A bench trial is set for July 12, 2017.
The Office of the Public Auditor caught Castro allegedly using a DOC vehicle, a 2015 Nissan XTerra, to go to the Marianas Country Club in Marpi in the morning of March 15, 2017, to play golf. He was given a citation and the vehicle was impounded.
In an earlier interview, the 58-year-old Castro denied misusing the vehicle, saying he was doing business at the Marianas Country Club.
Eh, other government vehicles have been seen parked at bars and other non-government places. Arrogance?
I do know this: many business deals are made in social settings, including golf courses. I hope Mr. Castro can produce a corroborating witness, or business associate who can shed some light.