DC Court Approves $14.25 Million Class Action Settlement for Women Who Used Religious Bath Where Georgetown Rabbi Made Secret Recordings

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 22, 2018 the Superior Court of the District of Columbia approved a $14,250,000 settlement in connection with a class action lawsuit brought by women who used a religious bath at the National Capital Mikvah, where then Rabbi Bernard Freundel secretly made video recordings of women in the nude, while they were using the facilities.   Freundel was arrested, charged, and ultimately pled guilty to 52 counts of voyeurism in October, 2014.   He was sentenced to 6 ½ years in prison.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., a distinguished law firm based in Washington, DC, has been protecting the rights of women victimized by Freundel since the arrest. The firm filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of victims, and served as co-counsel with appointed class counsel Sanford Heisler, LLP. The class action lawsuit (DC Superior Court Case No. Case No. 2014 CA 8073 B consolidated with 2015 CA 7814 B) named Freundel as a defendant, as well as four religious organizations, including the National Capital Mikvah and Kesher Israel Congregation.

The mikvah is a highly intimate, spiritual, and private religious experience that women engage in as part of their conversion to Judaism.  It is also used by married women after menstruation, and by women prior to the marriage ceremony.   Freundel, a former Rabbi at the Kesher Israel Synagogue in Georgetown, and a former professor of religious studies at local universities, admitted to his inexcusable breach of trust against women who expected privacy and a sacred space for a unique spiritual experience.

The settlement was approved by the Honorable Brian Holeman.  Judge Holeman in discussing the efforts of counsel in this case, said, " . . . that this case, notwithstanding the troubling aspects of the underlying facts, has been, from a judicial management point of view, a pleasure to handle." Judge Holeman suggested that other counsel in other class action lawsuits should "contact the lawyers in this case to get a feel for how, in [his] view, a class actions matter should be handled." 

With the settlement now finalized, women confirmed to have been secretly filmed by Freundel are entitled to a minimum payment of $25,000.  Women who used the mivkah but who were not confirmed to have been taped are entitled to a minimum payment of $2,500.  Class members are also eligible to receive additional payment based on the degree of their injury.  The evaluation of supplemental payments will be based on various factors set forth in claim forms including the extent of distress and harm victims suffered due to Freundel's conduct. Registration forms must be postmarked, or transmitted if sent by e-mail, no later than November 13, 2018. 

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is available to assist potential class members who may be entitled to compensation in accordance with the Court approved settlement.  You can find more information about the settlement and instructions about how to register for the settlement by clicking here.

Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm serving clients throughout Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Backed by decades of collective experience and the insight of Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyers, the firm has recovered over $500 million in compensation for clients in matters involving preventable accidents, serious injuries, invasion of privacy, and other civil matters involving harm and losses caused by the negligent and wrongful acts of others. For more information about the firm's award-winning team and services, visit www.chaikinandsherman.com.

SOURCE Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel

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