Sex-assault case against Rabbi Greer, of New Haven, transferred to Church Street courthouse

By Randall Beach
New Haven Register
August 14, 2017

http://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Sex-assault-case-against-Rabbi-Greer-of-New-11818330.php

Rabbi Daniel Greer, 77, of New Haven, third from left, leaves New Haven Superior Court Monday with his attorney William Dow III, of New Haven, after he appeared in court on charges of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Greer did not enter a plea. The alleged victim in the criminal charge is Eliyahu Mirlis, of New Jersey, who was awarded $15 million in his civil lawsuit against Greer in May 2016. Greer was a dean of the Yeshiva of New Haven/the Gan School, where the alleged victim was a high school student. Greer is accused i sexually assaulting Mirlis over several years in the early- to mid-2000s. Mirlis attended the school from 2001 to 2005. Greer has denied the allegations.

Rabbi Daniel Greer, 77, of New Haven, left, shakes hands with his attorney, William Dow III of New Haven, on the steps of New Haven Superior Court on Elm Street in New Haven Monday morning, August 14, 2017 after he appeared in court on a criminal charge of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Greer did not enter a plea.

Rabbi Daniel Greer, 77, of New Haven, walks out of New Haven Superior Court on Elm Street in New Haven Monday after he was appeared in court on charges of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Greer did not enter a plea. The alleged victim in the criminal charge is Eliyahu Mirlis, of New Jersey, who was awarded $15 million in his civil lawsuit against Greer in May 2016. Greer was a dean of the Yeshiva of New Haven/the Gan School, where the alleged victim was a high school student. Greer has denied the allegations.

New Haven, Connecticut: August 14, 2017. Rabbi Daniel Greer, 77, of New Haven, leaves New Haven Superior Court on Elm Street in New Haven Monday morning, August 14, 2017 after he was arraigned on a criminal charge of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. Greer did not enter a plea. The alleged victim in the criminal charge is Eliyahu Mirlis, of New Jersey, who was awarded $15 million in his civil lawsuit against Greer in May of 2016. Greer was a dean of the Yeshiva of New Haven/the Gan School, where the alleged victim was a high school student. Greer was accused in May 2016 of repeatedly sexually assaulting Mirlis, of New Jersey, over several years in the early- to mid-2000s. Mirlis attended the school from 2001 to 2005. Greer has denied the allegations.

NEW HAVEN >> Rabbi Daniel Greer, accused of sexually assaulting a student of his at a religious school, made a brief appearance Monday in Superior Court and had his case transferred to the Part A courthouse on Church Street, where more serious charges are handled.

Greer was in front of Superior Court Judge Karen Nash Sequino for only about 30 seconds. He did not speak and did not enter pleas to the charges of second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a child.

Greer’s not guilty pleas probably will be entered during his next court appearance Aug. 29.

Greer’s attorney, William Dow III, said after he left the courtroom with Greer: “We will try our case in court.” Greer, acting on Dow’s advice, made no comment.

Greer was dressed in a black suit, red tie and yarmulke.

Earlier Monday morning he sat alone in the courtroom, waiting for his case to be called, while Dow was in the area for attorneys and other court personnel.

Greer, 77, of West Park Avenue, is not in custody because he posted a bond of $100,000. He was arrested July 26.

His alleged victim was not in court Monday, nor was his attorney, Antonio Ponvert III. Ponvert could not be reached for comment Monday.

The alleged victim is Eliyahu Mirlis, now 29. The alleged abuse occurred between 2002 and 2005, according to a police warrant affidavit. Mirlis alleged Greer committed sexual acts upon him at the Yeshiva of New Haven/the Gan School, where Greer was then dean. Mirlis was a high schooler at the time. Some of the alleged attacks purportedly also occurred at hotels, motels and Greer’s residence.

The New Haven Register does not usually identify alleged victims of sexual assault, but Mirlis has reported through Ponvert that he wanted to come forward with the allegations.

Mirlis was already awarded $15 million in his federal civil lawsuit against Greer.