Rabbi Accused Of Money Laundering Not Allowed To Travel To Israel, Federal Judge Says

Rabbi Eliahu Ben Haim was charged in July with money laundering. He asked to modify the conditions of his bail to attend the infant’s ritual circumcision in Israel.

Judge denies trip to Israel for rabbi charged in N.J. corruption sting
By Joe Ryan • New Jersey Star-Ledger

NEWARK — A federal judge in Newark today denied a request from a rabbi charged in last year’s massive FBI sting to travel to Israel to perform a religious service for his newborn grandson.

Rabbi Eliahu Ben Haim was charged in July with money laundering and asked to modify the conditions of his bail to attend the infant’s ritual circumcision, or bris.

But U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk agreed with prosecutors that if Ben Haim were allowed to leave the country he may never return. He faces up to 20 years in prison, has relatives in Israel and, prosecutes say, has significant assets overseas.

“I do believe there are significant risks of non-appearance in this case,” Falk said.

Ben Haim, the principal rabbi at Congregation Ohel Yaacob in Deal, is accused of laundering $1.5 million for Solomon Dwek, the son of a fellow rabbi. But Dwek was also an FBI informant whose work led to charges against 46 people, including five rabbis and scores of public officials.

Ben Haim’s lawyer, Lawrence S. Lustberg, argued that Ben Haim is not a flight risk. He grew up in America, and most of his family is here, Lustberg said. The lawyer denied Ben Haim had money overseas.

“All that he has is here in the United States,” Lustberg said.

The lawyer also said Ben Haim has been engaged in “constructive” plea negotiations with the government. The rabbi, however, is not considering cooperating with prosecutors to convict other defendants in the case, Lustberg said.

“This whole case is about the Dwek betrayal, and he does not want to be a part of that,” Lustberg said.

[Hat Tip: WSC.]