Two well-known Long Island promoters of solar energy were charged Monday with misusing community service workers to line their own pockets.

Christopher Castro and his wife, Wendy, run two for-profit businesses, the Solar Café in Brentwood and a solar panel installation business. The couple also runs a not-for-profit organization that promotes the use of solar power.

Their not-for-profit organization was involved with the Suffolk County Courts, which assign where convicts of minor crimes fulfill their community service sentences. However, the Castros allegedly used the workers as free labor in their for-profit businesses.

"They have an obligation to use defendants who are wards of the court to actually do things for the betterment of the community," Assistant Suffolk District Attorney Mark Murray said. "They used workers for their own betterment."

Michael Jannuzzi, the couple's attorney, said his clients did not act illegally.

"Even if I assume that everything the district attorney says is true, it's not a crime, it's a breach of contract action," Jannuzzi said.

Christopher Castro was also charged with taking a sexually suggestive photograph of one of the community service workers. His bail was set at $40,000, while his wife's was set at $5,000. They are expected back in court June 8.