Federal agents assisted by local police conducted searches throughout Ramapo yesterday, targeting yeshivas and tech companies in Orthodox Jewish communities, The Journal News reported.
The investigation concerns private-school use of millions in tax dollars from the controversial E-Rate program meant to provide or improve the use of technology in education. Both The Journal News and Jewish news organizations have reported in past years on the amount of money from that program going to ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, which usually forbid their students to access the internet.
A team of TJN journalists tracked the agents, who were armed with 22 search warrants. More than 300 people were involved in the operation.
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TJN quoted a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office: "Today, the FBI, working with our office, conducted searches in connection with an ongoing fraud investigation. If and when charges are filed, they will eventually become public. This remains an ongoing matter, and we are unable to provide any additional information at this time."
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Also, check out the Rockland County Times on this issue:
FLASHBACK - Looks like the feds did not take this lying downhttp://www.rocklandtimes.com/2013/02/28/rockland-hasidic-schools-taking-millions-in-federal-tech-funds/
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