The stealing from the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, the New York City Jewish community's anti-poverty arm, began months before fired CEO William E. Rapfogel was hired 21 years ago and continued until Rapfogel was fired last month, the criminal complaint against Rapfogel says, and more than $5 million was stolen in total. But Rapfogel did even more wrong than that.
Willie in chains: yesterday's perp walk by William E. Rapfogel
The stealing from the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, the New York City Jewish community's anti-poverty arm, began months before fired CEO William E. Rapfogel was hired 21 years ago and continued until Rapfogel was fired last month, the criminal complaint against Rapfogel says, and more than $5 million was stolen in total.
But there's even more.
While at least $1 million was stolen by Rapfogel for his personal use and millions more by his so far unnamed co-conspirators for theirs, a percentage of what was stolen was stolen with he intent of benefiting the Met Council by using it to violate political campaign funding laws and essentially bribe willing politicians by giving illegal contributions to their campaigns – contributions structured in such a way as to maximize New York City campaign matching funds.
And that means Rapfogel & Co. defrauded the city as well as the Met Council.
Who were Rapfogel's co-conspirators?
One appears to be Century Coverage head Joseph "Yossi" Ross, a leading Beslov hasid.
But who are the others?
Some appear to work for Century and Ross, but at least one appears to work for the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.
Who is s/he?
It's too early to say for sure, but it appears to be a haredi man with close ties to a well-known haredi organization.
I'll post more on this, including his name, when I get confirmation.
As for the Modern Orthodox Rapfogel, who is still a pillar of his Lower East Side Orthodox community despite his firing and yesterday's arrest and perp walk, he took at least $1 million for his own personal use. (Odds are, Rapfogel stole more than that and kept the money for himself but those thefts have not – yet – been uncovered.)
That's right, Slick Willie stole from the Jewish poor and used the money to enrich himself and his family – including stealing $100,000 specifically to use to make a down payment on his son's new apartment.
Rapfogel did this while actual poor Jews are homeless and sleeping in city shelters and on subways.
Perhaps his Lower East Side backers might make note of that.
The criminal complaint: