Southeast, NY, -- Rabbi Charged In Drug Case

Southeast, NY, -- A popular rabbi 50, of a Conservative congregation in Briarcliff Manor and the father of three children was in Town Court on misdemeanor marijuana charges lodged after a traffic stop Aug. 1.

The Rabbi is a spiritual leader of a Congregation on Pleasantville Road, At least 500 families belong to the congregation. He appeared briefly before Southeast Town Justice James Borkowski and had his case continued to Sept. 14. He has not yet entered a plea to the charges and left the courthouse without comment.

State police charged him with criminal possession of marijuana and driving while ability impaired by drugs after a 1 a.m. traffic stop on southbound Interstate 684. Police said they found 27 grams — nearly an ounce — of marijuana in his vehicle.

A Briarcliff Manor lawyer and president of the synagogue's board, said he was surprised at the allegations. "He is, as far as I know, a religious and moral man. I'm taken aback, and I'm completely shocked at the nature of the charge."

The Rabbi, when stopped, was carrying a badge identifying him as chaplain of the village of Ossining's Police Benevolent Association. The badge was visible to troopers during the traffic stop when Kane was asked for his driver's license, but the PBA has since taken it back and ended its relationship with him.

"We're disappointed," said a Detective, the union president. "We don't want someone representing the PBA that gets arrested."