Sullivan County, NY – Camp Shalva Lawyer: No Abuse Confirmed At This Time

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    Sullivan County, NY – As rumors continue to swirl regarding possible child molestation that may have taken place last week at Camp Shalva in South Fallsburg, New York, the camp’s lawyer could only confirm that the matter is under investigation by authorities.

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    As previously reported on VIN News, a delivery person was captured on video surveillance tapes entering bunk houses in the early morning hours, where groups of young boys were sleeping.

    While numerous media reports criticized the camp for waiting several hours after learning of the incident before contacting the authorities, David Scharf defended his client’s actions.

    “By the time the camp learned of the incident, the individual involved was already off premises, so calling 911 would not have helped them apprehend anyone. The camp administration interviewed the children and the staff members and began reviewing the security tapes,” Scharf told VIN News.

    “Once we got back information that the person involved was allegedly a level two sex offender out of Rockland County, the camp made the determination that an internal camp investigation was no longer sufficient and they contacted law enforcement.”

    According to Scharf, no determination has been made yet if any charges of either trespass or child abuse will be filed in the case.

    “It is an ongoing investigation and we are as much in the dark as the media,” said Scharf. “The only information that we can confirm is that an incident of trespass occurred.”

    While Scharf believes that no molestation actually occurred, he was quick to point out that that determination can only be made by officials who are investigating the case.

    “Calling in law enforcement was the prudent decision,” added Scharf. “They are doing their thing, reviewing the security tapes, interviewing people in the camp and are speaking to the Rockland County prosecutor’s office, something the camp administration would not be able to do.”

    Scharf defended the camp’s administration general handling of the situation saying that they are being unfairly portrayed by the media.

    “They are being crucified for having waited so long, assuming that there was hard information that kids were molested, but that is a fallacy,” said Scharf, who noted that he didn’t know any camp in existence that asks each vendor to confirm that none of their delivery people are registered offenders.

    “Even registered offenders are allowed to be employed once they are no longer incarcerated,” said Scharf. “Should the supplier having him driving to a boy’s camp? That is a totally different question.”

    The delivery person in questions is an employee of the Spring Valley based Golden Taste. A spokesperson for Golden Taste told VIN News that they have no comment at this time.

    The Sullivan County District Attorney’s office has confirmed to VIN News that they are investigating the incident.


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    36 Comments
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    11 years ago

    “Even registered offenders are allowed to be employed once they are no longer incarcerated,” said Scharf. “Should the supplier having him driving to a boy’s camp? That is a totally different question.”

    This camp needs another lawyer.

    Butterfly
    Butterfly
    11 years ago

    The Registered Sex offender should not have any contact with children. Job, yes. Kids, NO!!

    curious
    curious
    11 years ago

    If there is even an inkling that,a child was molested, i.e. a child says “A stranger touched me or played with my blanket,” police need to be told. They are equipped to judge if there is “hard evidence.”

    ConcernedMember
    ConcernedMember
    11 years ago

    There are many jobs a sex offender can find that will not take him into a camp filled with children. This was irresponsible.

    I’m also a bit curious about what an “internal camp investigation” consists of. The camp has people with a background in law enforcement who know how to investigate such things? If so, bravo. If not…

    Lodzker
    Lodzker
    11 years ago

    Camp Shalva is an amazing camp. Im so hurt this happened and that they are being attacked for “waiting.”

    11 years ago

    I smell a coverup starting.

    alter
    alter
    11 years ago

    Why does the camp keep defending from the media? they feel they did the right thing, let them go on with their program, the media will always be negative anyway. Why give fuel to the hatemongers like NR and SR?

    georgewashingtonbridge
    georgewashingtonbridge
    11 years ago

    I’m delighted that the camp was able to resolve all these issues before calling the police. We could save significant money by just disbanding the police special victims unit. Next time a rape is reported in Rockland County, we’ll send bunk counselors and lifeguards to investigate.

    heyward
    heyward
    11 years ago

    What was his Ceshbon. To bring Zucher Bundloch and Herring for the Boys. He had no business to walk into the dormitory. Final

    heimish
    heimish
    11 years ago

    The camp is not to blame and neither is the boss of the pedophile. The kitchen where he was to deliver the items are at the other end of the camp grounds. And he came in the middle of the night when the kids arent around the kitchen.

    Mightysmart
    Mightysmart
    11 years ago

    President Ronald Reagan used to say “trust but verify”.

    There are so many sickos out there and they take innocent children and make a new generation of sickos. Hashem Yerachaim.

    moshemecanic
    moshemecanic
    11 years ago

    I really don’t know what you guy r talking about I saw him yesterday and today delivering in Williamsburg like any other day the media is full of bs

    notsofrummie
    notsofrummie
    11 years ago

    I am curious to know if this delivery guy was frum, or even Jewish. The article doesnt mention that. I point that out because they had no problem calling the police. I wonder if it was one of their Rabbis – how fast they would be in calling the police.