Northampton Board Reacts To Colleague's Sex Crime Charges

NORTHAMPTON, PA — Officials in Northampton were speaking out on Wednesday after a former township supervisor was charged with taking advantage of unconscious women and, in at least one case, plotting to get a woman drunk so his girlfriend could take sexually suggestive pictures while she was while passed out.

Lawrence Jay Weinstein, 44, is charged with multiple crimes, including violations of the Pennsylvania Wiretap Act, indecent assault, false imprisonment, invasion of privacy and recklessly endangering another person.

The charges stem from one incident last year — in which Weinstein is accused of coaching his girlfriend via text message to get their victim drunk, disrobe her and take photos using spy glasses — and another from 2012 in which he allegedly sexually assaulted an unconscious woman.

"The Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township is both shocked and disappointed by the news of the recent arrest of Larry Weinstein ...," board Chairman Barry Moore said to Patch on Wednesday in a prepared statement. "Our sincerest thoughts, concerns and prayers are with the victims of these unimaginable acts. The violation of their trust and their persons is unforgivable.

"We only hope that our understanding and support can help to ease the pain that these victims are experiencing at this moment."

Weinstein, who along with girlfriend Kelly Drucker turned himself in to police on Tuesday, was elected to a six-year term on the board in 2013. He stepped down from Northampton's five-member board of supervisors last month, citing personal reasons.

Moore added that nothing in Weinstein's public life suggested what may have been going on in private.

"Nothing Mr. Weinstein did while acting as an elected official would have ever caused anyone to suspect he was capable of such disturbing conduct," he said. "Further, it is important to acknowledge that the crimes with which he has been accused were not crimes that were committed in his capacity as a township official.

"All the same, Mr. Weinstein has been charged with several very serious crimes and Northampton Township will assist the district attorney's office in any way possible with its investigation and prosecution of these charges."

Kimberly Rose, the board's treasurer, shared similar sentiments in an email with Patch.

"I am shocked and appalled by this entire situation," Rose said. "My heart goes out to the victims."

On Nov. 10, 2017, prosecutors say Drucker and the victim had dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Weinstein, who was not there, stayed in contact with Drucker via text messages throughout the evening, coaching her on how to convince the woman to come home with her, prosecutors say.

"Keep sober so you can make it happen and aren't too drunk to win," one of Weinstein's texts said, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's office.

Weinstein allegedly instructed Drucker once she got the woman home to ask her sexual questions and keep making her drink alcohol. The victim told investigators she recalled going to dinner and that her wine "didn't taste right." She said she did not remember anything after commenting on the wine.

Eventually, the woman got sick and passed out in a bathroom. Prosecutors say Weinstein then instructed Drucker to put on the spy glasses and take photos.

"Get her naked and get [sic] door open," one text said, according to the DA's office.

Investigators say Weinstein later told police he was concerned for the victim and was not sure if he should call an ambulance.

A few days later, prosecutors say, the couple had a text conversation in which they discussed future plans for their "mission." Police believe that refers to plans to find another victim.

During their investigation, detectives say they found photos of the victim taken while she was in the bathroom at Drucker's home. The investigation began in August after they say a man found illicit messages on a phone that once belonged to Drucker.

While investigating the November incident, county detectives say they found photos on an iPad showing Weinstein sexually assaulting a woman in late 2012 while she was unconscious. That woman told investigators she was not aware anything had happened and that she did not consent to Weinstein touching her or taking photographs, prosecutors said.

District Judge Daniel J. Finello Jr. set and unsecured bail Tuesday for both Weinstein and Drucker of $300,000. They both have preliminary hearings set for Oct. 18.

Photos courtesy Bucks County District Attorney's office