Judge Benjamin Bucca today denied a motion by attorneys for R’ Osher Eisemann to dismiss the 2 counts he was convicted on by a jury, but instead sentenced him to 60 days in prison, and two years probation.
After denying the motion, the judge seemed sympathetic to the defendant, saying that this “unfortunate situation” should not take away from the “selfless life” R’ Osher lived.
Judge: “The character letters were overwhelming. In all my years, I have never seen such support.”
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) April 29, 2019
R’ Osher then addressed the court, saying that he gives only thanks to Hashem for all He has done for him. He also said that nothing will stop him from continuing in his avodas hakodesh.
Rabbi Eisemann: No matter what happens today, whether I am able to return to the School or not, I will continue to be a voice and resource for those most vulnerable. The indictment has not distracted me from doing so.
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) April 29, 2019
Judge Bucca noted how, in all his years as a judge, he had never seen an outpouring of support as was seen for R’ Osher.
The judge also explained that a prison sentence wouldn’t even change a man like Rabbi Eisemann – because it’s his extreme faith that guides him, and would deter him from any future wrongdoing.
UPDATE: State is requesting a 12 year sentence.
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) April 29, 2019
The judge then sentenced R’ Osher to 60 days in prison starting July 1st, 2 years probation, and a $250,000 fine.
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UPDATE 6:03 PM
Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that Rabbi Osher Eisemann, the founder and director of the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence (“SCHI”) in Lakewood, N.J., was sentenced today to 60 days in jail and a term of probation. A Middlesex County jury found Eisemann guilty at trial in February of using school funds in a money laundering scheme.
Eisemann, 62, was sentenced today to 60 days in jail as a condition of a term of two years of probation by Superior Court Judge Benjamin S. Bucca Jr. in Middlesex County. Judge Bucca ordered Eisemann to pay an anti-money laundering profiteering penalty of $250,000. The parties will return to court on July 1, when the judge will determine the date that Eisemann must report to serve his jail term.
Eisemann was found guilty on Feb. 27 of second-degree charges of money laundering and misconduct by a corporate official. The state requested that Eisemann be sentenced to 12 years in prison – six years for each charge. Second-degree charges carry a presumptive sentence of five to 10 years in prison, and by law, the money laundering charge cannot merge with the other charge and carries a consecutive sentence. The judge, however, imposed a sentence of probation over the state’s objection, finding Eisemann had overcome the presumption of imprisonment attached to his second-degree convictions. The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the judge’s decision and considering an appeal.
Eisemann was acquitted at trial of additional charges, including a charge of first-degree corruption of public resources. The school’s fundraising foundation, Services for Hidden Intelligence, LLC, was acquitted of all charges. Judge Bucca today denied a motion filed by the defense that sought to have him set aside the jury verdict and enter a judgment of acquittal or order a new trial.
Deputy Attorneys General Anthony J. Robinson and John Nicodemo tried the case and handled the sentencing for the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). They were assisted at trial by Analyst Nathalie Kurzawa. Eisemann was indicted in an investigation by the OPIA, assisted by the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau. The investigation began with a referral from the New Jersey Department of Education regarding SCHI’s financial practices.
In connection with the money laundering charge, the state presented testimony and evidence that Eisemann misappropriated $200,000 in school funds that he used in a scheme designed to make it appear that he used personal funds to repay debts he owed to SCHI. The state also presented testimony and evidence at trial that between 2011 and 2015, Eisemann used the fundraising foundation to misappropriate $779,000 in operating funds from SCHI, specifically, public tuition monies entrusted to the school to educate special needs children. The state argued that he used those funds for various personal purposes unrelated to SCHI. Eisemann was found guilty of the second charge, misconduct by a corporate official, because he used a corporation, Services for Hidden Intelligence, LLC, to facilitate criminal activity. That count incorporated all of the allegations in the indictment.
hodu lashem the judge gave a lighter sentence!!!!
Rabbi Eisman dosn’t deserve any of this.
Rabbi Eisemann is completely innocent. He does NOT deserve a single day in jail, to be fined a single penny or to serve a minute of probation. Borouch Hashem for the light sentence but ANY sentence is too much! May Hashem help us from all the forces of evil that seek to harm innocent people based on….
When this prosecutor runs for office we need to remember what he attempted to do and what he he succeeded at doing although it’s much less than what he wanted
Undoubtably when this rasha runs he’ll promise everything and he’ll come licking everybody but we must not forget who he is and what he is and should not dare vote for such a rasha
Prosecutors don’t run for offices
Tell that to our previous governor.
Hodu l’Hashem! Yes; it is difficult, a day in prison is difficult. However; 60 days pales in comparison when looking at what the evil prosecutors wished upon him. May we only hear besuros toivos.
The attorney said, if there was no money laundering, there is no crime and, by definition, no misconduct. So why the jail time and HUGE fine ? I don’t get it.
Maybe someone with knowledge of the case or NJ law can explain it to us laymen.
Very simple. the Jury convicted him
Joe, the facts are there was no crime. It was a witch hunt all along.
So to repeat the question why the massive fine and jail time. Its still not simple at all.
can s/o explain what does 2 yr probation mean?
probation means on watch
probation means: he’s on watch
You’re missing miscoduct.
Obviously the letters made a huge difference. They wanted 12 years & only got 2 months.
Doesn’t pay to appeal.
Of course it pays to appeal. If the conviction is not overturned, it will always be on his record. He needs to appeal in order to clear his name.
Rabbi Eisman gives us all Chizzuk
Any restitution for the money ???
The money was paid back 12 days after the alleged “crime”.
Afilu cherev chada….the one above can change everything in an instant
Probation means he has to report to the police precinct regularly and behave perfectly and may have other restrictions or limited rights.
He will be assigned a Probation Officer (not Police Dept) and yes, he must report in regularly. Any violation of the terms of his Probation and he will go back to jail. I don’t know what the terms are in this case.
Joe Sim:
Chris Christy was a federal prosecutor.
r asher is a tzadik the prosucuter is like hamun the rasha
Hudu lashem . Buruch Matir assurim .
We wish Rabbi
Eisman, much ,Hatzlocha,
May Hakodesh Boruch Hu, protect and shield him !!
, our teffilis and thoughts are with you.
Chazak ve Amatz!!