“ The media and the politicans including the President should blast the FBI for this type of entrapment and for the disgracefull way they made the arrest against a religion.. i would love to see them try this with christian, muslim or any other religion. ”

“ This article is despicable -- blaming the moral standards of the FBI for crooked acts of a thoroughly corrupt group of individuals?? I can't believe the author (i.e., Rabbi Hoffman) actually signed his name to this garbage.

-FFK ”

“ who decided that he is the most respected rabbi in israel please advise how you researched this information ”

“ The media and the politicans including the President should blast the FBI for this type of entrapment and for the disgracefull way they made the arrest against a religion.. i would love to see them try this with christian, muslim or any other religion. ”

“ This article is despicable -- blaming the moral standards of the FBI for crooked acts of a thoroughly corrupt group of individuals?? I can't believe the author (i.e., Rabbi Hoffman) actually signed his name to this garbage.

-FFK ”

“ which "corrupted group" are you referring to? you RACIST! ”

“ The best article I ever saw you must be a real antismite for the comment you just wrote the FBI basically forest some of the people into this by harassing them to commit a crime and you would be like dwek to try to disrespect our rabbis ”

“ While I certainly respect the sentiment in this article, J. Edgar Hoover was hardly the "hero" he is being painted out to be. He was a paranoid antisemite who believed that communists (mostly actors and entertainers... especially the Jewish ones) were trying to infiltrate and take over the government. He also had other psychological problems like being a transvestite. The FBI was, at that time, also involved in some pretty horrible racial discrimination and violence as well.

Perhaps he is right that the FBI overstepped its bounds (it sure seems like it)... and perhaps not. I don't know and neither does anyone else here. While I would like to think that every last person here is innocent, I know that it is unlikely that all are.

I just wish we could turn the conversation toward "dina d'malcusoh dina". Dwek was able to ensnare people into his perverse game because he KNEW that some yidden, for whatever reason, don't think that US law applies to them. He KNEW that some yidden would fall for his trickery "hook, line and sinker" just because they have no regard whatsoever for the laws of this great country.

The fact is that each person who was caught had a CHOICE. Those who CHOSE to knowingly commit a crime, in the end only have themselves to blame for it.

We need to stop making excuses. As easily as that slimeball Dwek became an informant, your "illegal" maid could just as easily be one as well... taping your conversations, looking through your tax documents, etc.

Why don't we use this as an opportunity to talk about the importance of living within the laws of the medina. A man does not get into dealing in illegal, black-market human organs for nearly a decade because he was "entrapped".

Realize this. Nobody outside our community cares who or what kind of filth Dwek is. All they know is that a yid who dresses like me and lives in my community was a black-market organ dealer. THAT is the chillul H" here.

As a side note, I only brought up the organ dealer as an example because his guilt is almost certain. They have been tracking him for years. As for the rest, I will definitely be waiting to see the evidence before I make up my mind. ”

“ The media and the politicans including the President should blast the FBI for this type of entrapment and for the disgracefull way they made the arrest against a religion.. i would love to see them try this with christian, muslim or any other religion. ”

“ who decided that he is the most respected rabbi in israel please advise how you researched this information ”

“ This article is despicable -- blaming the moral standards of the FBI for crooked acts of a thoroughly corrupt group of individuals?? I can't believe the author (i.e., Rabbi Hoffman) actually signed his name to this garbage.

-FFK ”

“ With all due respect to VIN, this post is a disgrace. I suggest Hoffman research the meaning of entrapment before he uses the term so cavalierly. This was not entrapment.

As I posted yesterday, everyone arrested had a chance to make a huge kiddush Hashem by refusing to engage in the illegal activities that were captured on tape. Each one failed. Worse, news of the goyim that refused Dweck have surfaced, but not one yid has come forward to say so.

The worse part thing we as a people can do is blame the outside world for our failings and shortcomings, and that's what Hoffman does here. The feds were doing the same job they always have. White collar crimes have long been established as a priority in law enforcement, and that only explains the money laundering. The organ salesman reached a new low in bringing disgrace to us.

The chilul of last week is our fault, individually and collectively. I would sooner stand up and blame myself as a member of the tribe than blame the law enforcement who did their job. Hoffman should be a man and do the same. ”

“ "...demonstrable propensity toward crime". ? Are you kidding? Who in his right mind would think that S. Dwek's five children were starving? Have you seen his house? He could sell a car! He could sell his house! That's an absurd defense of those who WILLINGLY participated in a scheme that was illegal. Dwek told these men he needed to hide his assets because of his impending indictment. This was INTERNATIONAL money laundering. Do you think this Rabbi just happened to call a friend in Israel and then he just happened to know a guy in Switzerland?? NO!! This is an established money laundering route that has clearly been used before. Stop trying to act like everyone didn't know the details. ”

“ please grow up guys, this is how the law gets many criminals that work in a in a close knit community or organization.

Are we to throw out all the mafia arrests because one guy was an informant or a plant for the police or fbi.

The FBI does not go after people just random looking to trick people to do crimes or make mistakes. They plant and informants to get evidence on people they know are doing criminal activities so they bring the case to court.

Dwerk was used to gather evidence and not to create criminals. Do you guys really think that the rabbis where not doing this stuff before Dwerk. If you do I can sell you the Brooklyn bridge.

Stop making excuses for the Rabbis who where arrested they have no one to blame but themselves. ”

“ they weren't forced to do anything. They did it because they were greedy and didn;t think the law applied to them. ”

“ There are members of all faiths who commit criminal acts. They didn't "Arrest a religion", they arrested CRIMINALS who happened to be frum Jews. ”

“ please grow up guys, this is how the law gets many criminals that work in a in a close knit community or organization.

Are we to throw out all the mafia arrests because one guy was an informant or a plant for the police or fbi.

The FBI does not go after people just random looking to trick people to do crimes or make mistakes. They plant and informants to get evidence on people they know are doing criminal activities so they bring the case to court.

Dwerk was used to gather evidence and not to create criminals. Do you guys really think that the rabbis where not doing this stuff before Dwerk. If you do I can sell you the Brooklyn bridge.

Stop making excuses for the Rabbis who where arrested they have no one to blame but themselves. ”

“ Well written however how do you expect rabonim to act when a sobbing father of 5 begs for help to feed his starving children. They should have found a legal way to help but it does give the whole circumstance some color. ”

“ " The 87 year old man had never committed a crime in his life."

This has not been proven. ”

“ You left out the kidney saleman. I assume hes also poor and innocent? ”

“ Entrapment is a very hard claim to prove even if one is coaxed into commiting a crime. The best answer is allways "NO"
”

“ You left out the kidney saleman. I assume hes also poor and innocent? ”

“ This is the most biased, factless article I have ever seen. IF they gave into Dweck b/c he was going to starve, why not offer to give him money out of his own pocket? You are a tight community with a lot of money......why not have a fund raiser? Before you go claiming that your rabbi's are so weak and easily influenced, why not ask the rabbi why as opposed to breaking the law ( and skimming 10% for THEIR OWN POCKETS which you all forget to mention) they had other outlets to help him than FRAUD. Why have none of you asked these questions of yourself before claiming all the rabbis innocence? They are not innocent and they WILL pay the price. They could have helped him in SO many other ways........but they went a route where THEY THEMSELVES would profit! Totally stereo-typical, HUH? ”

“ You left out the kidney saleman. I assume hes also poor and innocent? ”

“ Shmendrick, In the U.S., innocence is presumed. Only guilt must be proved. ”

“ What's "wrong" with the Organ Sale, is the the LAW IS WRONG!

The only thing wrong is the Law.

Helping to provide more organs by bringing them in form over sees does not diminish anyone form getting free organs form the USA pre-existing FREE supply.

On the contrary, people who pay to get additional donations of organs which would otherwise not be available, actually FREE UP more free organs for those in line on the free list (because as they go off the free list, then next free person moves up on the list).

Lives are saved by purchasing organs for people who would otherwise die.

Don't be so self righteous to let a rich person die, not allowing him to purchase an organ to live, just because some stupid goy made up an unjust law.

It's a MITZVAH to help provide organs for a fee - although it's against the law, although against the law in this country (not in other places), anyone who has Mesiras nefesh to put themselves on the line to save another Jews life, even if he may get arrested for saving his life, is doing the greatest Mitzvahs!

Ahh but he made a few $ on the side in addition to puting his life on the line to obtain a kidney to save someones life?

All the better if he made a few $ because the Halacgha is: Leolam Yaasok Adam Betorah UBEMITZVOS Sheloy Lishma, Shemitoch Sheloy Lishma Bah Lishma!

You do everything only "Lishma"?

Hamekayem Nefesh Achas M'Yisrael keilu Kiyem Olam Moley!

Law Shmaw - Torah is the real Law which mandates to save Jewish lives regardless of any Goyishe law telling you to drop dead instead. ”

“ With all due respect to VIN, this post is a disgrace. I suggest Hoffman research the meaning of entrapment before he uses the term so cavalierly. This was not entrapment.

As I posted yesterday, everyone arrested had a chance to make a huge kiddush Hashem by refusing to engage in the illegal activities that were captured on tape. Each one failed. Worse, news of the goyim that refused Dweck have surfaced, but not one yid has come forward to say so.

The worse part thing we as a people can do is blame the outside world for our failings and shortcomings, and that's what Hoffman does here. The feds were doing the same job they always have. White collar crimes have long been established as a priority in law enforcement, and that only explains the money laundering. The organ salesman reached a new low in bringing disgrace to us.

The chilul of last week is our fault, individually and collectively. I would sooner stand up and blame myself as a member of the tribe than blame the law enforcement who did their job. Hoffman should be a man and do the same. ”

“ Shmendrick, In the U.S., innocence is presumed. Only guilt must be proved. ”

“ What's "wrong" with the Organ Sale, is the the LAW IS WRONG!

The only thing wrong is the Law.

Helping to provide more organs by bringing them in form over sees does not diminish anyone form getting free organs form the USA pre-existing FREE supply.

On the contrary, people who pay to get additional donations of organs which would otherwise not be available, actually FREE UP more free organs for those in line on the free list (because as they go off the free list, then next free person moves up on the list).

Lives are saved by purchasing organs for people who would otherwise die.

Don't be so self righteous to let a rich person die, not allowing him to purchase an organ to live, just because some stupid goy made up an unjust law.

It's a MITZVAH to help provide organs for a fee - although it's against the law, although against the law in this country (not in other places), anyone who has Mesiras nefesh to put themselves on the line to save another Jews life, even if he may get arrested for saving his life, is doing the greatest Mitzvahs!

Ahh but he made a few $ on the side in addition to puting his life on the line to obtain a kidney to save someones life?

All the better if he made a few $ because the Halacgha is: Leolam Yaasok Adam Betorah UBEMITZVOS Sheloy Lishma, Shemitoch Sheloy Lishma Bah Lishma!

You do everything only "Lishma"?

Hamekayem Nefesh Achas M'Yisrael keilu Kiyem Olam Moley!

Law Shmaw - Torah is the real Law which mandates to save Jewish lives regardless of any Goyishe law telling you to drop dead instead. ”

“ I suggest that Rabbi Hoffman read the criminal complaints and affidavits filed with the court. Either the FBI Agent has commited gross perjury for which he will spend the next 5 years in jail or the 87 year old Rabbi is guilty as sin. I choose to believe the FBI. We attorneys who represent the Syrian or Chasidic businessman know what is going on. In 37 years of practicing law, I can truly say that I have never met a Satmar businessman who is straight, i.e., yosher. That is not a prejudicial statement. It is the truth. Rabbi Hoffman should get his head out of the sand (Torah?) and look reality in the face. ”

“ It is no mitzvah to make 150,000 for orchestrating a criminal act. ”

“ For everyone who keeps saying they want to arrest the fbi for "illegal entrapment" understand that entrapment is not a crime. It is a defense to a crime, just like insanity . ”

“ You left out the kidney saleman. I assume hes also poor and innocent? ”

“ What's "wrong" with the Organ Sale, is the the LAW IS WRONG!

The only thing wrong is the Law.

Helping to provide more organs by bringing them in form over sees does not diminish anyone form getting free organs form the USA pre-existing FREE supply.

On the contrary, people who pay to get additional donations of organs which would otherwise not be available, actually FREE UP more free organs for those in line on the free list (because as they go off the free list, then next free person moves up on the list).

Lives are saved by purchasing organs for people who would otherwise die.

Don't be so self righteous to let a rich person die, not allowing him to purchase an organ to live, just because some stupid goy made up an unjust law.

It's a MITZVAH to help provide organs for a fee - although it's against the law, although against the law in this country (not in other places), anyone who has Mesiras nefesh to put themselves on the line to save another Jews life, even if he may get arrested for saving his life, is doing the greatest Mitzvahs!

Ahh but he made a few $ on the side in addition to puting his life on the line to obtain a kidney to save someones life?

All the better if he made a few $ because the Halacgha is: Leolam Yaasok Adam Betorah UBEMITZVOS Sheloy Lishma, Shemitoch Sheloy Lishma Bah Lishma!

You do everything only "Lishma"?

Hamekayem Nefesh Achas M'Yisrael keilu Kiyem Olam Moley!

Law Shmaw - Torah is the real Law which mandates to save Jewish lives regardless of any Goyishe law telling you to drop dead instead. ”

“ I suggest that Rabbi Hoffman read the criminal complaints and affidavits filed with the court. Either the FBI Agent has commited gross perjury for which he will spend the next 5 years in jail or the 87 year old Rabbi is guilty as sin. I choose to believe the FBI. We attorneys who represent the Syrian or Chasidic businessman know what is going on. In 37 years of practicing law, I can truly say that I have never met a Satmar businessman who is straight, i.e., yosher. That is not a prejudicial statement. It is the truth. Rabbi Hoffman should get his head out of the sand (Torah?) and look reality in the face. ”

“ As a result of the sharp criticism of my previous post (#10), I have reread Rabbi Hoffman's article...and I stand by my prior comment.

If the criminal actions of the frum suspects were limited to their transactions with Dwek, Rabbi Hoffman would have a valid point. However, if you read the criminal complaints (I’ve read all of them) it is entirely clear that ALL of the frum money laundering and organ trafficking suspects (including Rabbi Kassin) were regularly engaged in this kind of CRIMINAL activity. So while the FBI’s tactics may have been a bit sleazy (e.g., suggesting that Dwek represent that the dirty funds were sourced from counterfeit luxury goods -- a crime which does not necessarily wreak from moral turpitude), these CRIMINALS were laundering all sorts of funds…not simply those sourced in counterfeit luxury goods.

Put otherwise, the FBI may have “chapped” these guys on a soft set of facts (e.g., “the pathetic tears and cries of the poor father with five young children”), but in reality, they’re actions were not limited to “rachmunus” cases.

-FFK
”

“ You left out the kidney saleman. I assume hes also poor and innocent? ”

“ The article is still more convincing than your comment. ”

“ Oh yes... of course it is. Perhaps we should what is done in 3rd world countries. They force people to give up vital organs in order to pay off debts to gangs and thugs. Would that be OK? It is to save a life after all.

The point is that that once you make it a "business" there is nothing to stop inevitable underground business. If it is REALLY about saving lives, every yid should be lining up to donate. If not, then it is REALLY all about the money for these bottom-feeders.

There is nothing worse than a yid trying to justify a disgusting chillul H" in a public forum. ”

“ If you want to Yell Fire, you can scare anyone in to anything that all is trief unless it's free.

Why is it legal for the US greatest and finest most respected doctors to make Millions ad charge triple digit figures for their work of just a few short hours of surgery?

Should all Doctors practice medicine for free, because "Making a BUSINESS" out of it, discriminates against the poor who need free health-care?

Because third world countries coerce people in unethical ways, is that a reason why all USA doctors should perform surgery FOR FREE only?

Where is your head?

Paying a poor person to have the "Sheloy Lishma" for doing the MITZVAH to donate n organ is the BIGGEST MITZVAH and it saves lives of people;e who would otherwise die literally.

Hundreds of people drop dead in the USA every year because there are not enough people doing the MITZVAH of paying people to provide organs SHELOY LISHMAH.

The "LISHMA" is not so great and so very few people donate Lishma and that's why so many yidden DIE, because you want to be a Tzadik on Yenems Cheshbon.

I don't think that, if YOU needed a kidney, that you would not accept a Kidney if you had to pay a few dollars to save your life, and that you would have happily accepted death instead just so as to "HONOR" the stupid unjust law of the land. ”

“ you couldn't have said it better, i agree with you 15000 percent !!! and this is percisly what i have been thinking in the last 5 days; it's keeping me up at night. how and why in the world would the FBI go so low? why can this mamzer who committed bank fraud, go free? why would the entrapment of a few small jews justify letting go this shaygutz, Dwek? indeed, the FBI is acting like children in school, who are incompetent of thinking out of the box. they did it just to score a few points more. what a shame. ”

“ The "Fat Free Kishka" is wrong.

Drek would not have had to ask for Rachmonus, if he was dealing with real crooks.

Real crooks do what they do for selfish reasons and not for the sake of rachmonus, tzedka vachesed.

Anyone who has Rachmones to feed the hungry should be praised and stand strong and not be deterred by this shtik drek. ”

“ The "Fat Free Kishka" is wrong.

Drek would not have had to ask for Rachmonus, if he was dealing with real crooks.

Real crooks do what they do for selfish reasons and not for the sake of rachmonus, tzedka vachesed.

Anyone who has Rachmones to feed the hungry should be praised and stand strong and not be deterred by this shtik drek. ”

“ It sounds like the writer of this article, and a lot of commentors here, did NOT read the actual reports, as I havn't till yesterday.

read and tell me if these were random acts of kindness, or a disgrace
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nj/press/2009releases.html ”

“ who decided that he is the most respected rabbi in israel please advise how you researched this information ”

“ it's all lies! they are honest frum yidden who were taken in by the crook Dweck!!!! ”

“ Are you being sarcastic, or are you really this ignorant?

"Why is it legal for the US greatest and finest most respected doctors to make Millions ad charge triple digit figures for their work of just a few short hours of surgery?"
- The government provides health plans for those who are indigent (Medicaid).

"Should all Doctors practice medicine for free, because "Making a BUSINESS" out of it, discriminates against the poor who need free health-care?"
- Genuinely poor people can get Medicaid. Anyone can go to the emergency room for health care.

Of course paying people COULD be a good thing. However, you and I both know where it leads. China allowed for it. Now they keep prisoners on death row alive long enough to find a suitable match for their organs and then kill them to harvest the organs (without their consent) to be sold. Would it not be great if the Chinese government took the organs from Yidden in prison and sent them here. Would you not feel wonderful knowing that you are walking around healthy because some Chinese yid was slaughtered in prison to give you the organs? Oh, and YES this is REALLY the case in China and other countries where this is legal.

How far do you take it? Can a bank claim that one of your kidneys is now worth $40,000 and you should give it up to pay off your credit card debt? After all, according to you it is a commodity like any other that has cash value. It should, of course, be considered an asset!

For all of you who think that this system was set up stupidly, you are VERY wrong. Why is every major medical facility in the US 100% against purchasing organs? It is in their interest to get organs as quickly as possible as it means a lifetime of medical care (ie. payments). A transplant patient is one of a hospital's biggest revenue generators. A dead one, is the least profitable. So why would the people with the most to gain 100% back the law prohibiting the sale of organs?

They all back the law because they know that an uncontrolled system would lead to far worse things as has been clearly shown in Indonesia, China, Singapore, Ukraine, etc. Organ recipients in many of these countries have a survival rate that is less than HALF of ours. Because they can be bought and sold like trading cards, unqualified people end up selling their organs because someone is so desperate to try anything. The patient dies 3 months later anyway from sepsis due to a contaminated or unsuitable transplant.

What if 2 people need my kidney. One offers me 100k and will die within a week without it. The other offers me nothing and has 1 months to live... his daughter and my son are getting married in 2 months. One way or another I will now have to choose who lives and who dies. Do I do it on the money? Should I look to see who I think is a better person? Do I risk my son's shidduch? Do I help the one in the most dire need?

So you tell me, Mr. "Doctors should work free, too?"... how would you choose? You now get to play both the giver and potentially taker of life.

I find it heartbreaking that someone could possibly be okay with the idea that MONEY will decide who lives and who dies. ”

“ " don't think that, if YOU needed a kidney, that you would not accept a Kidney if you had to pay a few dollars to save your life, and that you would have happily accepted death instead just so as to "HONOR" the stupid unjust law of the land"

I would not break the law and pay for a kidney when there are legal avenues to do so. ”

“ Rachumes:

1. Are you stating that as a "factual matter" the suspects criminal activity was limited to Dwek and other rachmunes cased in need of money laundering?

2. As to why Dwek had to ask for rachmunes, I would suggest that the suspects would not have dealt with someone known to have been arrested by the Feds for a financial crime (i.e., Dwek) except for the fact that they had rachmunes on him.

-FFK ”

“ Give me a break! everyone had there own free will , no one coerced these people to say these things, if something is so wrong you don't just do it because someone pleads with you to do it, we are not pre-schoolers. Most of these people boasted on tape how they had committed these crimes in the past. ”

“ In fact the FBI was not a particularly noble group back in the days of J. Edgar Hoover. The agency routinely harassed citizens who criticized its actions, and it never was willing to properly investigate organized crime.

But times have changed. After Hoover's death, the smelly files were released (yes, the FBI got caught doing things that smelled to high heaven) and the agency cleaned up its act. It no longer focuses on investigations of political opponents but thwarts synagogue bombings.

And it should be pointed out it appears that the Dwek investigations were sponsored by the US Attorney who cut a deal with him to implicate others in return for a reduced sentence. Blame that US Attorney, not the FBI, who were only doing their job.

And if you want to ask how the list of people to be approached was drawn up, you can easily ask that now former US Attorney: He is running for governor of New Jersey. Nevertheless I would never call something like this evidence for anti-Semitism given that many more non-Jews than Jews were arrested despite the fact that the Confidential Witness was a Jew and there is no evidence so far that there was any attempt to unfairly target Jews.
”