NEW CITY – Closing arguments began Friday in the trial of the Rockland County rabbi accused of sexually molesting a young boy.
As News 12 has reported, Laiby Stern told the judge that Rabbi Moshe Menachem Taubenfeld sexually molested him when he went for counseling after the Sept. 11 attacks. Stern, now 22, claims the abuse carried on for five years.
Defense attorneys and prosecutors both said the case against Taubenfeld comes down to a question of credibility.
Defense attorney Gerard Damiani has said that there is no corroborating evidence to suggest the alleged molestation actually occurred.
Assistant District Attorney Steve Moore said the Taubenfeld family members who testified that the alleged victim was never in their home seemed to be coordinating their stories to protect the accused.
Damiani said he was able to raise reasonable doubt regarding Taubenfeld’s guilt.
The judge is expected to deliver his verdict next Thursday.
