Authorities Set Up Hotline for Any Other Potential Victims of Rabbi Accused of Voyeurism

Authorities have set up a hotline for any other potential victims out there who feel they may have been secretly recorded by former Georgetown Rabbi Barry Freundel, 62, who is accused of the crimes.

“It’s really a tragic case and it is going to take some time for all the details to unfold,” D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said Tuesday on NewsChannel 8 with Bruce DePuyt. “I think this case will be rolling out for some time.”

“For people who are potential victims, that is agonizing,” she said.

The number at the U.S. attorney’s office is 202-252-7585. The email address is: usadc.bernardfreundelcase@usdoj.gov and a Web site with updated information is at: http://www.justice.gov/usao/dc/programs/vw/bernard_freundel.html.

Police arrested Freundel at his home in Georgetown two weeks ago after receiving a tip that he was possibly taking secret photos of women at the synagogue, with a camera hidden in a radio in the mikvah or bath area.

Freundel, who has been the spiritual leader of Georgetown synagogue Kesher Israel since 1989, was charged with voyeurism by DC’s Metropolitan Police Department on Oct. 14, Washingtonian magazine first reported.

The charges came after someone noticed a clock or clock radio containing a hidden camera in the synagogue’s bath area, according to The Washington Post.

Students of Freundel’s at Towson University in Maryland may also contact the university, where he has been suspended with pay. If Towson students or alumni are concerned that they may have been victims, they may contact Towson University Police at 410-704-2134, according to The Towerlight, which said the university was cooperating with DC police in the investigation. The university is also reportedly offering counseling services to students.

PHOTO of Barry Freundel from synagogue Web site