Despite objections, Miami Beach rabbi gets plea deal in fondling case

Sun Sentinel
December 11, 2015

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/miami-dade/sfl-agg-miami-beach-rabbi-plea-20151211-story.html

Photo courtesy of The Miami Herald/Miami Beach police

A Miami Beach rabbi who was accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl has taken a plea deal in the case - over the objections of the girl's mother who wanted him prosecuted as a sex offender, according to Miami media reports.

Originally charged with lewd and lascivious behavior with a minor, Rabbi Steve Karro pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor battery charge and was placed on probation for nine months, WFOR-Ch. 4 reported.

The girl's mother addressed the judge in court in an effort to persuade him to reject the deal.  "Rabbi Karro took my daughter, touched and squeezed her buttocks, placed her on his lap...rubbed her thighs and kissed her," WSVN-Ch. 7 quoted the woman as saying.

Prosecutors concluded there wasn't enough evidence to take the case to trial, the station reported.

Karro's attorney, Jeffrey Weiner, told reporters his client is innocent.

"There's no sexual misconduct that took place here. So I respect the presumption of innocence and hope you will too," WTVJ-Ch. 6 reported.

If Karro sucessfully completes probation, his record will be cleared, the station reported.