Nechemya Weberman Convicted in Sex Case

The Forward
December 10, 2012

http://forward.com/articles/167465/nechemya-weberman-convicted-in-sex-case/

A Brooklyn rabbi who acted as a therapist was convicted of sexually abusing a Brooklyn girl, authorities said Monday.

Nechemya Weberman, an unlicensed therapist, was found guilty of 59 separate counts of abuse and faces up to 117 years in prison.

“The victim showed great courage to come forward in a very difficult time. Hopefully, this verdict will lead to the understanding for other women that they can come forward as well,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes.

Weberman faced 88 counts of sexual misconduct for alleged sexual encounters between him and the female accuser, whose parents sent her for therapy sessions to the unlicensed therapist at the recommendation of the child’s school. The incidents allegedly took place while the accuser was between 12 and 15 years old.

The case has long been controversial with some in the community backing Weberman and accusing the accuser of concocting the abuse account.

Supporters of Weberman clashed with the victim’s supporters in a Williamsburg street last spring.

In June, four men from the Satmar Hasidic community were arrested for allegedly offering the accuser $500,000 in an attempt to silence her.

Four spectators at the trial were arrested for taking photos of the accuser during her testimony.