Ex-Temple Israel Rabbi Pleads Not Guilty to Larceny Charge

Former Temple Israel Rabbi Barry Starr pleaded not guilty to larceny over $250 and embezzlement by a fiduciary Tuesday in Dedham Superior Court.

The former leader of the conservative Sharon temple is accused of taking nearly $500,000 from his synagogue to pay a Quincy man who was blackmailing him.

Prosecutors say that Starr altered the amount on checks written to the rabbi’s discretionary fund. Those checks were allegedly deposited by Quincy man Nicholas Zemeitus or Alexa Anderson, who use to live with Zemeitus in Milton according to the Boston Globe.

Zemeitus is accused of blackmailing Starr, threatening to publically accused Sarr of a relationship with an underage boy if he was not paid for his silence.