Community Corner

$20 Million Awarded in Rabbi Sex Abuse Lawsuit

A former student claimed he was sexually abused for years by a prominent New Haven rabbi.

NEW HAVEN, CT —A civil jury awarded $20 million to a former student who claimed a prominent city rabbi had sexually abused him for years.

Rabbi Daniel Greer and Yeshiva of New Haven were ordered to pay $15 million plus $5 million in punitive damages, according to WTNH.

Former student Eliyahu Mirlis claimed Greer started sexually abusing him starting when he was 15-years-old in 2002. He said in a lawsuit that the incidents happened at school property, Greer's residence and various other spots.

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Yeshiva Assistant Dean Aviad Hack testified that he was sexually abused while underage.

Greer denied having sex with plaintiff Eli Mirlis on a parcel of land in Hamden, the only time during testimony he flat out denied a sex abuse allegation, according to the New Haven Independent. Outside of that he invoked his Fifth Amendment privileges several times during the trial.

Find out what's happening in New Havenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Greer's lawyers said they plan to appeal.

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