New York - Lieberman Holds 'Outreach' Session At Home Of Rabbi Known For Fundraising

New York - U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman gathered with Jewish Orthodox leaders in New York in a meeting arranged by one of the senator's fundraisers at the home of a controversial rabbi known as a prolific campaign contributor, Lieberman's communications director confirmed.
But the spokesperson, insisted the gathering was not a fundraiser but rather an "outreach" event hosted by the rabbi, Milton Balkany.

Balkany contributed $2,000 in 2003 to Lieberman's presidential campaign and $500 in 1999 to Lieberman's senatorial campaign committee, Federal Election Commission records show.

Balkany in 2003 was charged in a federal complaint alleging theft of government property, filing a false claim, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice in connection with a $700,000 school grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Department.
President Bush, as well as several other federal and city candidates, subsequently returned thousands of dollars in contributions from or linked to Balkany.
The charges against the rabbi, however, later were dropped under a deferred prosecution agreement that reportedly permitted Balkany to return the money after acknowledging that he had violated an "understanding" with the government.