Georgetown Rabbi Gets 6 1/2 Years for Voyeurism

WUSA
May 15, 2015

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/2015/05/15/rabbi-bernard-barry-freundel-sentencing/27358795/

A rabbi who admitted to secretly videotaping dozens of women in a Jewish ritual bath was sentenced to six and a half years Friday.

Rabbi Bernard "Barry" Freundel, 63, pleaded guilty to 52 voyeurism charges in February stemming from a series of incidents between 2009 and 2014. Prosecutors had asked that Freundel be sent to prison for at least 17 years. Freundel's lawyer asked that his client only do community service.

Most of Fruendel's female victims broke down in tears or had cracking voices during emotional testimonies at the sentencing. One woman said she used "substances" to deal with finding out she was videotaped, while another woman said Fruendel trolled for more victims at her wedding.

A judge sentenced Freundel to 45 days in prison for each of the 52 victims, calling his actions "a classic abuse of power and violation of trust."

Between early early 2009 and October 2014, police say Freundel installed and maintained electronic recording devices changing/showering rooms at The National Capital Mikvah in Northwest, D.C.

Freundel was arrested on Oct. 14, 2014 after an individual associated with the Mikvah turned over a clock radio that was found in the changing/showering room to police.