$20K Plot To Blackmail Rabbi With Sex Photos
Two Israeli men were indicted for plotting to send women to seduce a New York City rabbi and blackmail him with photos of the encounter.
The men, in their mid-30s from central Israel, were charged Monday in the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court with conspiracy to commit a crime and attempted extortion under threat.
The Jerusalem Post reported the two men plotted to pay at least $20,000 to two women – “B.B.” and “G.G.” – to ensnare the clergyman.
One of the men surreptitiously took photos of one woman performing a sex act on him and threatened to send the pictures to her boyfriend unless she agreed to the scheme.
The rabbi and the two women recruited to seduce him have not been named publicly; their names fall under a gag order that was set last month when the men were arrested. One of the women was blackmailed to be part of the plot.
The two women went separately to police to inform them of the plot.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
