Case Against Rabbi Dropped, but Investigation Continues

Federal prosecutors have dismissed charges against a New York rabbi accused of fondling a teen-age girl on an airliner, but they are continuing their investigation of the allegations.

The charge of abusive sexual contact was dismissed without prejudice, meaning prosecutors can later refile the case against Rabbi Israel Grunwald, the leader of a branch of a New York-based Hasidic sect.

“Our investigation is ongoing,” said Assistant U.S. Atty. Debra Yang. “In some instances when we dismiss, we dismiss and that’s it. . . . In this instance, that’s not the case. We can refile at any time within the statute of limitation.”

Yang would not disclose the nature of the continuing investigation or the reasons for the dismissal.

Grunwald’s Los Angeles attorney, Donald Etra, was not ready to declare his client vindicated. “Nothing that significant should be read into the government’s decision,” Etra said.

The defense attorney said prosecutors simply wanted more time to consider the case. He added that he hoped authorities “will recognize that the rabbi is completely innocent of the charges.”

Grunwald and his assistant, Yehudah Friedlander, were arrested May 31 at Los Angeles International Airport after a 15-year-old girl accused the men of molesting her on a flight from Australia.

Yang said there are no plans to drop the case against Friedlander, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual abuse of a minor and is scheduled to stand trial in August. Released on $200,000 bail, Friedlander was initially placed under house arrest in his Brooklyn home. The bail conditions have since been modified to allow him to go to work and attend religious services.