Victim objects to rabbi’s release

Greer granted temporary freedom because of pandemic

NEW HAVEN — The victim in the conviction of Rabbi Daniel Greer for risk of injury to a minor charges strongly objected after a judge released Greer from prison because of the threat of the coronavirus.

Eliyahu Mirlis, who wants his name made public despite the sexual nature of the offenses, faxed a letter to New Haven Superior Court Judge Jon Alander, six days after Greer was released from prison last month.

Alander presided over the trial last year which ended with a jury finding Greer guilty on four counts of risk of injury to a minor. Alander sentenced him to 20 years in prison, to be suspended after Greer serves 12 years. The sentencing hearing in December ended with Greer being handcuffed and led off to prison.

But last month, Alander agreed to a motion by Greer’s attorney David

Grudberg asking for Greer to be released. Grudberg wrote that the virus was “exploding within the state prison system” and that Greer, 79, “is at heightened risk of severe, life-threatening illness from COVID-19.”

Alander termed his order a “temporary release from prison until the crisis abates.” Greer was placed under house arrest. The order covered 45 days, until June 8, “unless extended or terminated by the court.”

Alander ordered electronic monitoring for Greer and “intensive” supervision. He is allowed to visit his attorney’s office, go to medical appointments and religious services.

Greer was on trial last September in connection with allegations he had repeatedly sexually abused a student at Yeshiva New Haven, which Greer had founded, as well as at other locations, including a motel. The alleged assaults occurred in 2002-03 when Mirlis was 15. Because of the statute of limitations, the sexual assault charges against Greer were dismissed, but he was convicted on the four lesser counts.

The New Haven Register received a copy of Mirlis’ letter from Lawrence Dressler, one of Mirlis’ supporters and a long-time opponent of Greer. When the Register texted Mirlis to confirm he wrote the letter, he texted back: “I edited and signed the letter to Judge Alander.” Mirlis was then asked who wrote it and he texted that his secretary had done it. He declined to provide the name of the secretary, saying it was “not relevant.”

In one of his texts to the Register, Mirlis reiterated that he disagrees with Alander’s decision. Mirlis asked why Greer is allowed to go to the synagogue. “If the issue is the virus, then he should be holed up in his house and not allowed anywhere.”

The letter to Alander stated: “I was never notified by the Office of the State’s

Attorney or the Office of the Victim Advocate that a court date was scheduled to address defendant Greer’s request for release. I understand that I have the right to be notified of court dates pertaining to Mr. Greer’s incarceration.”

The letter addressed Alander’s statement during the hearing that Greer has “chronic asthma.”

“I was familiar with Mr. Greer’s physical health,” the letter stated. “Mr. Greer never had an inhaler and never had any respiratory issues when I knew him. I read Mr. Greer’s medical records filed in this case Feb. 13, 2020. There is an entry of ‘N/A’ next to the words ‘respiratory issues.’”

The letter continued: “I am not a doctor but I own nursing homes and am familiar with basic medical issues concerning the elderly. Mr. Greer’s... medical records indicate he is very healthy for a man of his age.”

The letter added: “I vehemently object to Mr. Greer’s continued release from incarceration. I waited many years for the criminal trial of Mr. Greer. He has not voluntarily paid me one dollar toward my civil judgment, which is now over $20 million.” (Mirlis won a civil suit in 2017 requiring Greer to pay him $21.7 million.)

The letter said, “His release from prison, while maybe beneficial for him, is not beneficial for society and for the outcome of the court case where jurors found him guilty on four counts and where he was sentenced to serve his time. Why should he be ‘cut a break’?”

When reached for comment, Grudberg said in an email: “You have asked me to comment on a letter dated April 30, ostensibly sent by Mr. Mirlis to the court, provided to you by Lawrence Dressler.” Noting Dressler is not “an agent of the court,” Grudberg added: “I have not been notified by the court of any such letter submitted by Mr. Mirlis.”

Greer