For those who are heavily involved in any religious community, their religious leaders or people they look up to, trust, and turn to for advice and guidance. When those leaders turn out to have dirty secrets and their deeds are brought to light, it can be absolutely devastating for those who follow them—especially when those deeds directly affect one or more of the followers.
This is exactly what happened to a female Georgetown University grad student and many other women when prominent D.C. rabbi Barry Freundel was discovered to be a voyeur.
Freundel was recently found to have exploited attractive young women by gaining their trust within the religious community—the Georgetown Synagogue, Kesher Israel Congregation—and then convincing them to engage in the “mikvah” ritual of bathing by full immersion.
After a hidden camera was discovered in a clock that he placed in the mikvah’s changing room, Rabbi Freundel was arrested on charges of voyeurism. Freundel was the leader of the Georgetown Synagogue – Kesher Israel Congregation and a professor of Jewish Law at Georgetown University. Since he should have been screened and supervised by his places of work, a class action has now been filed against Freundel, Kesher Israel, and Georgetown University.
Click here to view a copy of the official court file.
Contact Washington, D.C. lawyer Michael M. Wilson if you have been similarly exploited and are looking to fight for compensation through a lawsuit.
Before Freundel’s Voyeurism Charges – There Were Warning Signs
Witnesses have testified that there were signs pointing to Freundel’s perversion long before he was caught. He was said to have shown a preference to attractive young women and to have made “borderline sexual” comments. He was also allegedly referred to as “creepy” on more than one occasion by more than one woman.
Freundel’s alleged comments were made on the dating habits and sex lives of young women in the Kesher Israel Congregation. He was said to have told one woman that she “didn’t have to dress so modestly.” One young woman approached him regarding sexual comments made by other men in the community. Freundel is said to have replied, “If I was younger and single, I would be interested in you, too.”
Freundel Charged with 6 Counts of Voyeurism
Rabbi Freundel allegedly encouraged numerous young women to participate in the cleansing ritual known as “mikvah.” During this ritual, the participant showers in a “changing room” and then completely immerses him or herself—without wearing any clothes or accessories of any kind—in a private mikvah bath.
Freundel was noticed placing a clock beside the shower in the changing room of the Kesher Israel Mikvah—of which he had sole control under the auspices of Kesher Israel—by an attendant in the changing room. She allegedly pointed out to Freundel that there was already a clock in the room, at which time he is reported to have said something about the clock helping with the ventilation in the shower.
The clock mysteriously disappeared soon thereafter. When it reappeared, the attendant took it and examined it. She found a hidden camera inside.
Freundel was later arrested in his home. Warrants were obtained and his home was searched. This is what was found:
- Several laptops
- Desktop computers
- External hard drives
- Digital cameras
- Memory cards
- Flash drives
- Electronically deleted files labeled with women’s names
- Another clock with a hidden camera and memory card
- A tissue box containing a hidden camera
- A computer charger containing a hidden camera
- Nude photos of women
Freundel was arrested on six charges of voyeurism, among other charges. The case is ongoing and a decision has yet to be made regarding Freundel’s charges and the compensation that is being sought by the plaintiffs.
Need to file a class action lawsuit? Consult a Washington, D.C. attorney!
Contact The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D & Associates right away if you have been exploited in a similar way to those above. Attorney Michael Wilson represents clients who desire compensation for damages caused by professional malpractice and negligence. Call now at (202) 223-4488 to get started!
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References
- Jane Doe vs. The Georgetown University, et al., Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Civil Division, Civil Action No. 14-0007644
- Washington Post – Lawsuit Filed in Georgetown Rabbi Case; Synagogue Severs Relations with Leader
- Washington Post – Prominent D.C. Rabbi Accused of Voyeurism Presents Disturbing Paradox
- My Fox DC – Rabbi Charged with Voyeurism Fired by DC Synagogue
- My Fox Houston – Georgetown University Law Student Files Lawsuit over Rabbi Voyeurism Case
- Failed Messiah – Jewish Law Student Sues Alleged Voyeur Rabbi, Mikvah, Synagogue, University Over Alleged Mikvah-Peeping
- Vos Iz Neias? – Washington Prosecutors Washington – Prosecutors: Washington Rabbi Charged With Voyeurism Still Being Investigated
- Vos Iz Neias? – Washington D.C. Police Launch Hotline for Potential Victims of Georgetown Voyeur Rabbi
Dr. Michael M. Wilson is an attorney and a physician who earned his undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his legal and medical degrees from Georgetown University. He has focused in the area of medical malpractice for more than three decades and secured more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients throughout the country. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and New York as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is listed in America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators.
