Results tagged “rabbiisraelweingarten”

The rabbi accused of molesting his daughter throughout her adolescence was found guilty yesterday on all counts in Brooklyn federal court. Rabbi Israel Weingarten could face up to fifty years for the case, in which he represented himself and had to be disciplined by the judge for the tone he took while cross-examining the daughter who accused him. Outside the court, the woman, who has now left the Satmar sect, spoke to reporters about what the cross-examination was like saying, "Like being molested again. He thought he still had power over me. I think it was cruel to do that to me." While her mother and brother testified on her behalf—the latter claiming the father brainwashed his children—the victim's six younger siblings supported their father. After the verdict, one said, "My sister? I didn't look at her. She's not even human."

As if taking the stand was not difficult enough for a woman who accuses her father, a rabbi, of molesting her for years, yesterday she had to face him as he cross-examined her at the trial—Rabbi Israel Weingarten is representing himself.