Quincy Man Pleads Guilty to Extorting Former Temple Israel Rabbi

A Quincy man has admitted to extorting the former rabbi of Temple Israel in Sharon.

Nicholas Zemeitus, 31, pleaded guilty last week in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham to extortion and larceny charges in a scheme to blackmail former rabbi Barry Starr according to the Boston Globe.

In 2011, Zemeitus encountered Starr after responding to an online listing for sex with an older woman. When Zemeitus arrived at Starr’s home, he was greeted by the former rabbi who was wearing women’s clothing. Starr gave Zemeitus $100 to remain quiet, but the Quincy man threaten to go public with underage sex allegations, which Starr denied happened and authorities found no evidence of.

Read more on Sharon Patch

• Man Accused of Extorting Former Sharon Rabbi Held on $400,000 Bail
• Former Temple Israel Rabbi to Face Larceny Charge

In addition, 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.

Zemeitus is set to be sentenced on Dec. 2. Prosecutors recommended a six-to-eight-year prison term.

A hearing for Starr is scheduled for Thursday. He faces charges for larceny and embezzlement for the alleged transactions with Zemeitus.