Rabbi’s Aide Indicted in Molestation

A New York rabbi’s assistant accused of sexually molesting a 15-year-old girl during an airplane flight has been indicted on a charge of sexual abuse of a minor.

A federal grand jury issued the indictment in Los Angeles on Tuesday, charging that Yehudah Friedlander, 44, “knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a 15-year-old female” aboard a commercial airline flight from Australia to Los Angeles.

Friedlander, released on $200,000 bond and placed under house arrest in his Brooklyn home, is scheduled for arraignment Monday.

Friedlander and Rabbi Israel Grunwald, a leader of a New York-based Hasidic sect, were arrested May 31 as they got off the United Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport. Grunwald, who was charged with abusive sexual contact, was released on $10,000 bail.

Grunwald is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing this month, although prosecutors also have the option of seeking an indictment against him.

“We’re continuing our investigation” of Grunwald’s case, Assistant U.S. Atty. Debra Yang said. She added that prosecutors had to move more quickly in Friedlander’s case because he had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing this week.

Michael Abzug, Friedlander’s attorney, could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Through their attorneys, both men have maintained their innocence, disputing a detailed affidavit filed with the complaint.

The document alleges that Grunwald fondled the teen-ager across an empty seat and that Friedlander, after exchanging seats with Grunwald, fondled the girl and molested her under a blanket as she attempted to sleep.

As quoted in the affidavit, the teen-ager told the FBI that she repeatedly tried to fend off the advances but did not call attention to them because she was embarrassed.

Another passenger interviewed by the FBI said she witnessed one of the men groping the girl and, after later talking to the teen-ager, alerted the flight crew, which radioed ahead to authorities.