Rabbi May Be Charged In Up To 88 Cases of Voyeurism

Times of Israel reports on a closed-door meeting held Wednesday evening in Washington, D.C. between federal prosecutors and alleged victims of Rabbi Barry Freundel who was arrested in October for secretly photographing women using the mikveh at Washington's Kesher Israel Synagogue. (See prior posting.)  Currently Freundel has been charged with six misdemeanor counts of voyeurism under D.C. Code Sec. 22-3531(b)-(c).  However, those attending were told that Freundel taped a total of 152 women. Prosecutors say that charges may be filed in a total of 88 of the cases. Either the statute of limitations has run, or the victim cannot be identified, in the other 64 cases. If convicted, Freundel could be sentenced to a $1000 fine and one year in jail on each count.  Prosecutors may negotiate a plea deal, but they say it would have to include jail time. If the cases go to trial, victims would have to identify themselves in the videos, and would be subject to cross-examination.