NEW YORK
The Journal News
Steve Lieberman, slieberm@lohud.com July 28, 2015
Plea agreement met family’s wish that the boy not have to testify publicly against Rabbi Gabriel Bodenheimer.
A Monsey rabbi accused of sexually abusing a 7-year-old boy pleaded guilty Tuesday to a lesser charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
Prosecutors said the agreement met the family’s request to spare their son from having to testify in public.
Rabbi Gabriel Bodenheimer, 72, principal of Yeshiva Bais Mikroh for decades, faces three years probation when sentenced Oct. 27 on the misdemeanor count. As part of the agreement, the rabbi is barred from teaching or entering any school. He will also be subject to typical restrictions imposed on sex offenders.
Rockland County Court Judge Rolf Thorsen accepted the rabbi’s plea.
Prosecutor Richard Kennison Moran told Thorsen the case was being resolved at the request of the victim’s family, who told Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe they wanted the boy to move forward with his therapy and life.
“The victim is extremely strong mentally,” Moran said. “I believe he would be able to testify before this court. The family wants to spare their son the ordeal of testifying. I respect his family’s wishes.”
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