Ex-CEO of group helping Jewish abuse victims nabbed for graft

The former head of an organization in the Miami area that helps young victims of sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community is arrested for embezzlement.

David Shapiro, the ex-CEO of Jewish Community Watch, was arrested yesterday by officers from the North Miami Beach Police Department, WSVN Channel 7 News in Miami reports. Shapiro is being charged with four felonies, including grand theft and fraud, according to the report, which says he posted bond and left jail last night.

Jewish Community Watch says in a statement posted on its website that it has filed a civil suit to recover the stolen money, more than $31,000. The statement says Shapiro resigned last year after board members noticed several internal financial irregularities.

According to the arrest warrant, Shapiro transferred money from the organization to his personal account and used it to fund trips to theme parks, rent cars and for hotel rooms, as well as other personal uses, WSVN reports.

“Thankfully, Shapiro’s role was only administrative and he was not involved directly with our clients, most of whom are survivors of abuse,” says the group’s statement, which was signed by three board members. “For that reason, none of the work accomplished by JCW was compromised.”

— JTA