New Square Rabbi Moshe Taubenfeld Arraigned on Sexual Abuse Charges

News 12
July 8, 2014

http://westchester.news12.com/news/new-square-rabbi-moshe-taubenfeld-arraigned-on-sexual-abuse-charges-1.8723948

A New Square rabbi accused of sexually abusing a child multiple times pleaded not guilty in Rockland County Court today.

Rabbi Moshe Menachem Taubenfeld, 55, pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually abused a boy repeatedly from September 2001 until May 2006.

Taubenfeld's accuser, who spoke to News 12 using the name 'Laiby,' says he turned to the rabbi for counseling after the attacks on Sept. 11. He claims members of the Hasidic community tried to pressure him and his family not to press charges.

During Tuesday's arraignment, the judge issued a temporary order of protection against Taubenfeld, forbidding him to have any contact with his alleged victim.

The charges against Taubenfeld carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years. He remains free on $25,000 bail and is expected back in court for a pretrial conference on July 15.