A rabbi has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually abused a 10-year-old boy, according to the Nassau County District Attorney.
Rabbi Gary Lieberman, 56, of Far Rockaway, was arraigned at
First District Court in Hempstead Friday and pleaded not guilty to two counts
of first-degree sexual abuse, reported the DA's office. Judge Joy Watson set a
$100,000 bail during the arraignment, the DA said. He will return to court
Tuesday.
Lieberman abused a then 10-year-old boy between Nov. 4, 2009
and May 2010 while he was a teacher at Hebrew Academy of Nassau County in West
Hempstead, Nassau County Police said.
Lieberman victimized the boy in a second floor learning
center, where the two would be alone, as well as a bathroom in the school,
police said. Lieberman allegedly told the victim that if he reported the abuse
to anyone, "they would not believe him because he is a Rabbi," police
said.
A Special Victims Squad investigation led to Lieberman's
arrest Thursday after the academy's chairman of the board of education reported
the incident, police said. How the abuse was discovered was not reported.
If convicted of all charges, Lieberman could serve up to 14
consecutive years in prison, said the DA's office.
Cops added that "Lieberman's employment at the Hebrew
Academy was terminated" Aug. 31, but "he may have continued teaching
at other private religious schools."
Detectives are asking anyone with information on additional
victims to contact Special Victims Squad at 516-573-4022.
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