During a closed door meeting tonight between the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia and victims of Rabbi Barry Freundel, the government informed victims that it may proceed with at least another 82 counts of misdemeanor voyeurism, representing a total of 88 identified women, according to sources in the room.
Prosecutors also said they would prefer to reach a negotiated settlement in this case rather than going to trial as any trial would inevitably mean the women would be subjected to cross examination and would have to identify themselves on any footage taken in The National Capital Mikvah.
However, prosecutors did stress that any plea offer conveyed to Freundel would include jail time.
If a plea is not eventually reached in this case, the matter will proceed to trial. Freundel is next due in court Feb. 19.
