Rabbi convicted of money laundering gets a break thanks to his selfless life

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A judge gave a New Jersey rabbi who laundered $200,000 from a special education school he founded a break by sparing him a lengthy prison stint — sentencing him instead to 60 days in jail because he lived a “selfless life.”

Rabbi Osher Eisemann, 62, who founded the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence in Lakewood, was found guilty in February of second-degree money laundering and misconduct by a corporate official.

The charges carry sentences of five to 10 years in prison, but state Superior Court Judge Benjamin Bucca gave him the reduced sentence, which also includes a fine of $250,000, according to NJ.com.

“At this stage in this man’s life, I cannot imagine that this situation could ever occur again,” Bucca said. “The seriousness of the allegations and the harm that occurred is much less than what this court typically sees with other second-degree crimes.”

Bucca also made a recommendation that Eisemann be permitted to return to work at the Oak Street school, though not in a financial role.

“It’s my hope that you get back to (the school),” he told Eisemann, according to the Asbury Park Press, adding that Eisemann had lived a “selfless life.”

Bucca said he was “overwhelmed” by letters sent by Eisemann’s supporters, and that he had not seen such an outpouring of support in his years as a criminal judge.

Eisemann was acquitted of other charges, including corruption of public resources, theft by unlawful taking and misapplication of entrusted property.

The private school’s fundraising foundation, Services for Hidden Intelligence, also was acquitted of all charges.

Lee Vartan, the rabbi’s attorney, said outside the courthouse that he considers the sentence “a partial win and certainly a good outcome,” and called Bucca’s decision to say his client should be reinstated at the school “unprecedented.”

But he said he may still appeal the lenient sentence.

Eisemann, who stepped down from his role at the school in August 2017, was found guilty by a jury of using $200,000 in school funds in a money-laundering scheme designed to make it appear he used personal funds to repay debts he owed to the SCHI.

The funds were returned shortly after they were withdrawn.

Eisemann’s supporters filled the Middlesex County Superior Court room Monday afternoon and a campaign raising money for his legal defense raised almost $600,000 from nearly 3,500 donors.

The rabbi, whose own adult son has special needs, maintained a positive outlook about the rest of his life.

“I thank the court for giving me the opportunity to acknowledge, I don’t know why this ordeal has befallen me, but I truly believe it to be a blessing from above,” he said.

“No matter what happens today … I will continue to be a voice and a resource for those most vulnerable.”

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