Samuel Kellner Cleared in Brooklyn Abuse Shakedown Case
By Anne Cohen March 7, 2014
Brooklyn prosecutors have moved to dismiss all charges against Samuel Kellner, the Brooklyn man who helped bring abuse charges against other figures in the ultra-Orthodox community.
Kellner, a key figure in several sexual abuse cases, had faced perjury, criminal solicitation, conspiracy and attempted grand larceny for allegedly shaking down suspected abusers.
“After a careful review of the evidence, we have concluded that the charges against Samuel Kellner must be dismissed. We’ve reached this conclusion because we do not believe that we can prove these charges at trial,” District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson said in a statement.
A judge agreed to dismiss the case without prejudice, meaning it could theoretically be revived in the future, the Daily News reported.
Kellner was instrumental in bringing to light allegations of sexual abuse by Baruch Lebovits. Lebovits was convicted of molestation and sentenced to up to 30 years in prison in 2010. His conviction was later overturned on appeal.
The case against Kellner was brought after Lebovits’ defense counsel alleged that Kellner had used bribery and extortion in his case against his client.
Since the indictment, two witnesses have provided “inconsistent statements,” making it impossible to prove Kellner’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the DA concluded.
Dershowitz (who convinced judge to dismiss without prejudice) said “this isn’t over.” There were screaming matches in hallway between attys.
— Oren Yaniv (@OrenNYDN) March 7, 2014
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30
