Higher Bail Set For Orthodox Jews In Corruption Bust

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bustCourt appearances continued today in the wide-ranging corruption probe that has netted 44 people in New York and New Jersey, including several elected officials and religious leaders. New Jersey Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith appeared in handcuffs today before a federal judge in Newark, who ordered him released on a $100,000 bond. The Jersey City Democrat stands accused of accepting bribes in exchange for approving building projects.

Bail was set much higher for many others facing money laundering charges after prosecutors argued that the mostly Orthodox Jewish defendants were flight risks, citing their strong ties to Israel.

The judge also ordered several of them to wear electronic monitoring devices.

{APP/Matzav.com Newscenter}


4 COMMENTS

  1. “Bail was set much higher for many others facing money laundering charges after prosecutors argued that the mostly Orthodox Jewish defendants were flight risks, citing their strong ties to Israel”
    I wonder if the same concern exists with Irish Americans, Italian Americans etc.–After all, don’t they too have strong ties to Ireland, Italy etc.?

  2. Anonymous –

    Most Irish- and Italian-americans are in this country for several or many generations and are “Irish” or “Italian” in name only. Very few have close relatives back in the “old country” – except for a very few Italians and Irish in New York City.

    Frume Yidden, on the other hand, usually have close relatives in Israel and other places, very large extended families, and belong to religious groups whose members may protect them regardless of what they have been accused of. Many Hareidi and Chassidish groups still regard any civil government as “the enemy.”

    I’m surprised but happy that the judge gave them bail at all. Hopefully, they won’t try to disappear and give us another black eye. If they’re innocent, they shouldn’t be afraid to stand trial. If they’re guilty they belong in jail where they can’t do further harm to their victims and create Hillul HaShem.

  3. You’re right, Rachel, but only theoretically. Fact is Jews get much harsher sentences than non-Jews. We’re in golus… another reason to run from anything illegal.

  4. And learn Choshen Mishpat.

    How about a campaign like the Shmiras Halashon one? A lesson-a-day book, a guide by R’ Zelig Pliskin, shiurim following your Daf Yomi group….

    This is a wake-up call for all of us.

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