Brooklyn, NY – Rabbi Leib Glanz, once an influential prison chaplain and power player within the Satmar community, was sentenced to a mere 45 days in federal prison today in connection with a Section 8 fraud after taking a plea deal.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The 54-year-old rabbi had been facing up to 15 years in prison for willfully defrauding the federal government out of more than $36,000 in Section 8 housing subsidies, the New York Times reports (http://bit.ly/WkHK5z).
Beginning in 1996, Glanz conspired with his 51-year-old brother, Menashe, to commit the fraud. Menashe was sentenced on February 20 to six months in prison and another six months of home confinement. The brothers were ordered to pay back more than $220,000 to the federal government.
Justice P. Kevin Castel of the Federal District Court in Manhattan opted for a lenient sentence saying he is taking the rabbi’s prior good deeds into consideration.
A letter written by Satmar Grand Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum on Glanz’s behalf to Judge Castel said Glanz “has led a life of dedication to his faith and to others.” In asking for leniency, Teitelbaum included references to God and passages from Deuteronomy such as “Justice, justice shall you pursue,” according to the New York Post (http://bit.ly/XK2D5u).
The letter also said Teitelbaum had spoken with Glanz extensively about his case, and “I can assure the court that his shame and humiliation have already exacted a significant toll and punishment.”
At sentencing, Judge Castel said, “Section 8 subsidies are not free money. They exist at the sufferance of the citizens and those who pay taxes. Punishment is intended to sting. It is not simply a matter of rolling back the clock to what it was before the fraud was done.”
Glanz broke down in tears before the nearly empty courtroom and begged for mercy. “All my life, I have tried to do only what is good, I have tried to help many people,” he said. “But in this case, I have not lived up to my own standards. I said ‘yes’ when I should have said ‘no,’ and by doing that, I have failed myself, I have failed many people.”
What a wonderful person ! Helped so many ppl. Stay strong rabbi !
Baruch hashem! So for all of you that think a frum person does not have a chance, think again. B”H a molester frum person does not have a chance, but a GOOD frum person DOES!
B”H this was only in the zechus that he helped out so many people when ever he was able to.
A wonderful tzaddik – bH it is such a short sentence
Took a page out of the gemura, this chodesh is the preffered time to win a court case.
Rather than kvelling about another frum yid committing a felony (although in this case getting leniency from the court), why aren’t we asking why so many yidden are engaging in these frauds, scams, tax evasion and outright theft? Are we so jaded that such convictions now seem the norm and all we debate is how long their sentence should be. These guys bring shame on yidden throughout the United States through such chillul hashem. The fact that someone is a big baal tzadakah like SMR, Dwek or Abramoff or has done community service like Glanz doesn’t detract from the reality of their crimes.
This sentence sends the WRONG message to fraudsters in willy and CH.
B”H, he must have many zechusim upstairs where it counts that were able to come through on his behalf and allow for a lenient sentence.
Ari Leib you are true tzadik and A real mentch. I truly Beleive that hashem wants to show you first hand all the things you did for your poor brothers. I hope that it goes by quick and easy and you fill up with chizuk.
See you back on this side shortly
Was this also antisemitism? Or was it someone accepting a plea deal, apologizing, and owning up to his illegal actions no matter how well intended they were?
I worked under Rabbi Glantz. What a wonderful and selfless individual he is. I am so glad for this lenient prison sentence. He is a person who has dedicated his life for others and am glad the judge could see that.
Burach Hashem he only got 45 Days, BUT! Imagine he was a politician helping out 1000’s of yiden no matter from what and where he came, was, or belong to… And for such a guy 45 days.. I can’t even express it… Its like a normal person gets 10 years. And don’t forget he has probation a year he’s on the criminal reacord… Its more then everybody thinks.. Thanks
man is one of the few last good people left in that community
A person who is dedicated to help others 24/7
Nhere we go again with a “rabbi”
The media is crazy
All those asking why people take the money etc think into it how can a person live today the insurances barely pay for anything housing is ridiculously high, and food has sky rocketed. People have been forced into taking the money just to live. Rent in bp for a decent apartment is $3000 and so also in monsey so maybe think what the real problem is and all the do gooders should help with this situation
Leib is just another politician who abused the system to support his own agenda. He hired an excellent attorney who is well-versed and well respected in the New York federal criminal justice system. The attorney negotiated an exceptionally lenient deal for him. Hopefully, this lesson will not be lost on Leib, because if he gets caught again, the outcome will be more severe. The system doesn’t forget when someone gets a break the first time. Good Shabbos to all.
To all those who call this man a “tzadik”:
This man broke multiple halachos, including geneivah, dina demalchusa, and chillul Hashem. He might be a nice guy, but he is not a tzadik. Someone who resorts to violating halachah in order to raise money shows a severe lack of bitachon.
Rabbosai, fraud is chazer treif. We have to stop doing it. And we certainly have to stop admiring people who do it.
This man made a mistake. All of us do at some point in our lives. He is not a danger to society, and it sounds like he put in his time assisting others in the past. There would be no reason to send him up the pike for a lengthy period if time. Monetary restitution is the proper punitive measure in this case, along with some time served to drive home the message.
I’m glad he did not get an absurd sentence and he is able to take care of his family and make things right. Giving him a harsh sentence for this type of crime would just be malicious and a burden on tax payers. Hopefully America will start becoming more in line with European countries, when it comes to non violent crimes.
And there was a message served her as well. It had become par the norm for many in the frum community to manipulate their income to gain government benefits. So much so, that it is not even viewed as wrong or punishable. I am sure this case sent a wake up call to many people who do the same exact thing , if not worse, then this individual did. It’s fine and dandy until the Feds decide to prosecute you. It is not worth it, trust me. This case could have easily ended up with a lengthy sentence had they decided to send a message. Don’t leave yourself at the mercy of a federal prosecutor.
#18
Have these cassidisha schools teach proper secular subjects and teach these kids a trade. Then they’ll be able to earn a better living and afford more. It starts at an early age, not when they are 25 yrs old.
Happy the sentence was lenient. Most people would’ve gotten min of 5 years.
I never had the pleasure of meeting this rabbi, but from someone who does pay taxes, I think his actions were despicable. This is a medina she chesed and to willfully defraud them and other hard working people who pay taxes is an unbelievable chutzpah!!! The only thing he is sorry for is for getting caught!!. What an absolute chilul hashem. Shame on him and all those that defend his out right thievery!!!!
I don’t get it. A tzaddik who happens to do Section 8 fraud is zoche to only45 days – Rubashkin was also a huge tzaddik who did fraud but he got 27 YEARS this is not justice!!! A tzaddik is a tzaddik and deserves better!
This shows if you help yiddisha kinder helft der fin oiven this is is the 3rd time that some former official from Satmer got a big break from a Judge Rabbi Hertz frankel Rabbi Cheskel Klein and now Rabbi Leib Glantz B”H
robin hood in talis and tefillin becomes a tzaddik.? huh? woops forgot . they dont who robin hood is.