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Rabbi Gets 4 Years For Extortion; Lower Than Max Based on "Good Works"

By Howard M. Friedman

Friday's New York Daily News reports that a New York federal district court judge has sentenced 64-year old Rabbi Milton Balkany to 4 years in prison for extorting $4 million in contributions to two religious schools from a hedge fund.  Balkany sought the funds in exchange for telling a prisoner he was counselling not to report insider trading to authorities. (See prior posting.) Balkany faced a possible 9-year sentence, but Judge Denise Cote said that the lower sentence was "appropriate based on a lifetime of good works and generosity for those in need and people who are the forgotten of society, the most unfortunate among us."  However the judge said some prison time was called for given Balkany's lack of contrition and remorse.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on February 20, 2011 (boomark / email).