NEW YORK – A religious counselor in New York's ultra-orthodox Jewish community has been convicted of sexually abusing a girl who came to him for help.
Nechemya (nuh-HEHM'-yuh) Weberman was convicted Monday of sustained abuse of a child.
The accuser, who's now 18, told authorities he abused her repeatedly from the time she was 12 until she was 15.
The case spotlighted the strict rules that govern the Satmar Hasidic sect and prohibit girls from talking to boys, dressing immodestly or questioning their faith.
The 54-year-old Weberman is not a licensed counselor, but worked with families within his community for decades. Defense attorneys say the accuser made the claims because she was angry that he betrayed her trust.
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