On August 13th, 2007, it was a sensation when police charged Lionel Castillo – the Ombudsman’s assistant for extortion. The Ombudsboy - as he is called – was supposed to go on trial today in Magistrate’s Court. But he didn’t because the DPP withdrew the charges due to insufficient evidence. The Ombudsboy was arrested after an elaborate sting operation involving the police, Kolbe Foundation, and $1,500. Castillo was allegedly given the $1,500 in marked bills by parolee Kelvin Reneau.
The allegation was that Castillo took the money because he had promised Reneau that he would get him paroled – for a fee. And though the Ombudsboy doesn’t sit on the parole board – he iIs alleged to have told Reneau that he does have influence. But Castillo denied it, and today before a summary trial could begin he was vindicated when the DPPs office withdrew the charge. But Castillo isn’t completely out of the woods. He has another related charge pending for allegedly attempting to influence an officer. A preliminary inquiry for that charge is set for February 20th.
