A British tabloid is reporting a rabbi from the Chabad movement has been caught frequenting a whorehouse.This rabbi may be a first cousin to another Chabad rabbi, now dismissed, who stood accused of sexual harassment and, if memory serves, attempts to fondle a non-Jewish maid. Prior to that, before accepting a position as a rabbi, he was involved in an armed robbery. Chabad backed him in the first case, but not in the second, and his shlichut was to the best of my knowledge, terminated.
So, what does this newest case say about Chabad? Nothing bad, certainly. An errant rabbi or two should not reflect badly on the movement as a whole – unless Chabad works to cover up illegal activity or takes other foolish steps to protect its image.
People – even rabbis – sin. what should be done with this particular sinning rabbi? Suspend him with pay (even if 770 has to step in to do this), bring in a temporary replacement and assess the situation. If he has a problem, get him treatment. Then find him a desk job away from people, someplace where he will not be viewed as a rabbi. And do what is necessary to help his wife and children, including facilitating a divorce if that is what his wife wants wants.
Most prostitutes were abused as children, many by powerful figures in their lives like parents, older brothers and clergy. Perhaps Chabad can start an unusual form of outreach, to a largely (but not exclusively) non-Jewish population, funding programs to help get prostitutes out of the business, helping them deal with their past and facilitating a future away from the sex trade.
But again, whether Chabad does this or not, the sins of one or two of its rabbinic representatives should not tarnish the entire movement.