Monsey, NY – A liaison who is credited with building a greater sense of trust between Rockland County’s Jewish community and the local district attorney’s office turned in his badge last week amid accusations of making illegal donations to a political campaign.
Rabbi Zalman Beck was appointed to a volunteer position by Rockland County district attorney Thomas Zugibe in 2008
According to reports in the Journal News, Rabbi Beck is said to have obtained straw donations for Senator Malcom Smith’s failed 2013 New York City mayoral run. Smith was sentenced to seven years in prison for attempting to bribe his way onto the ballot. Two Spring Valley officials are also serving prison time because of their involvement in Smith’s activities.
Zugibe said that he was first made aware of the allegations by a reporter for the Journal News. He praised Rabbi Beck for his work building bridges between the tightly knit Jewish community, resulting in greater reporting of criminal conduct and sexual abuse by members of the Jewish community.
“Rabbi Beck has also made great strides in educating the communities to ensure compliance with our laws,” said Zugibe. “He has proven to be a respected and effective asset to law enforcement in Rockland County.”
Rabbi Beck could not be reached for comment.
As reported by Vos Iz Neias