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Case of Rabbi Ephraim Goldberg

Boca Raton, Flordia

Ephraim Goldberg, 41, of Boca Raton, pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of exposure of sexual organs.  He was one of three men arrested during an operation aimed at cracking down on sex in public restrooms at Palm Beach Mall.  As part of his plea deal, he won't have to serve jail time as long as he takes a three-hour prostitution impact prevention education class and avoids run-ins with authorities until his next court hearing on Sept. 3. His criminal record then would be wiped clean.

 


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Table of Contents:   

  1. Planner for Jewish Federation accused of indecent behavior (06/26/2003)
  2. Jewish Group Worker Accused of Indecency Charge is Part of Crackdown on Public Sex  (06/26/2003)
  3. Agency director takes plea in exposure case (07/03/2003)

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Planner for Jewish Federation accused of indecent behavior

By Nancy L. Othón - Staff Writer

South Florida Sun-Sentinel - June 26, 2003

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-pgoldberg26jun26,0,4977578.story?coll=sfla-news-palm

A planning director at the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County exposed himself to an undercover West Palm Beach officer in a Palm Beach Mall restroom, police said.

Ephraim Goldberg, 41, of Boca Raton, was charged with one misdemeanor count of exposure of sexual organs and issued a notice to appear in court on July 8.

On a police report, Goldberg lists his occupation as a social worker at the Jewish Federation on Community Drive. But Jeffrey Klein, executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, said Goldberg is a planning director. Klein declined to comment further.

On a Web site for Young Israel of Boca Raton, Goldberg was referred to as a rabbi and a past president of the synagogue.

A person answering the phone at Young Israel on Wednesday said, "We're not interested in commenting."

West Palm Beach police say Goldberg was one of three men arrested Monday during an operation aimed at cracking down on sex in public restrooms.

Though the operations usually take place in park restrooms, a police officer had noticed an increase in activity in the restrooms at the Palm Beach Mall on Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, and police conducted the undercover sting in response, said police spokeswoman Dena Kimberlin.

"We have been conducting these types of operations for years, and they will continue," Kimberlin said. "The mall is working very closely with us because they do want to make it a safe place."

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday, Goldberg made eye contact with the undercover officer while at Sears and both men walked into the store restroom, according to police reports. Goldberg followed the officer into a handicapped stall and asked the officer, "Is it safe?" police said.

Goldberg, who has no prior arrests in Florida, then exposed himself to the officer. After the officer said he didn't think it was "safe" anymore, Goldberg reportedly asked the officer if he lived alone and whether the two could meet later, according to police reports. The officer then identified himself as a West Palm Beach police sergeant and issued Goldberg a notice to appear in court.

Goldberg's attorney could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Nancy L. Othón can be reached at nothon@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6633.

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Jewish Group Worker Accused of Indecency Charge is Part of Crackdown on Public Sex

Nancy L. Othon Staff Writer

South Florida Sun- Sentienal - June 26, 1983

[Ephraim Goldberg], who has no prior arrests in Florida, then exposed himself to the officer. After the officer said he didn't think it was "safe" anymore, Goldberg reportedly asked the officer if he lived alone and whether the two could meet later, according to police reports. The officer then identified himself as a West Palm Beach police sergeant and issued Goldberg a notice to appear in court.

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Agency director takes plea in exposure case

Palm Beach County News - July 3 2003

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-p3bdig03jul03,0,3506996.story?coll=sfla-news-palm

A planning director at the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County pleaded guilty Tuesday to exposing himself to an undercover West Palm Beach police officer in a Palm Beach Mall restroom.

Ephraim Goldberg, 41, of Boca Raton was arrested June 23 on a misdemeanor exposure charge in an undercover sting targeting sexual activity in the mall's restrooms.

As part of his plea deal, he won't have to serve jail time as long as he takes a three-hour prostitution impact prevention education class and avoids run-ins with authorities until his next court hearing on Sept. 3. His criminal record then would be wiped clean.

Scott Richardson, his attorney, said Goldberg took the deal because he wanted a quick resolution to the case to minimize any embarrassment to his family and employer.

Boca Raton

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Last Updated:  07/30/2003

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