Embezzlement Charge Against Ex-Temple Israel Rabbi Continued Without a Finding

SHARON, MA — The former Rabbi of Temple Israel is likely off the hook for embezzling nearly $500,000 from the synagogue.

Friday, an embezzlement charge against Barry Starr was continued without a finding, according to the Norfolk District Attorney's office. A charge of larceny over $250 was dismissed and the embezzlement charge will be removed from his record if he does not get arrested for a year.

Representatives from Temple Israel gave victim impact statements.

The judge's ruling likely ends what has been a notable downfall for Starr. In 2011, Nicholas Zemeitus, 30, of Quincy responded to an online listing for sex with an older woman. The ad led Zemeitus to Starr's home, where he encountered the former Sharon Rabbi in women's clothing. Starr offered Zemeitus $100 for his silence but he wanted more and threatened to publicly accuse Starr of having a sexual relationship with his non-existent brother.

To keep Zemeitus quiet, Starr allegedly modified the checks given to him for the temple’s discretional fund and deposited them at higher amounts to accounts belonging to Zemeitus and his wife. In total, Starr took $480,000, including a $50,000 loan from a Morris Kesselman, an 87-year-old congregant and Holocaust survivor.

In 2015, Zemeitus admitted to extortion and larceny. He is serving a four to five-year prison sentence.

Image Credit: Patch Photo