Torah-stealing janitor gets one year in jail

QUEENS, NY — A live-in janitor from a Kew Gardens synagogue who stole eight Torahs last summer received a one-year prison sentence for misdemeanor attempted grand larceny, according to The Queens Courier.


Eric Giraldo pleaded guilty to the lesser misdemeanor charge; he was originally charged with a felony that carried a 15-year prison sentence, the story stated.


Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said: "This case is particularly troublesome because a trusted employee with access to valuable and important materials chose to break that trust for possible financial gain. The sentence is both justified and necessary."


Giraldo admitted stealing the Torahs with intent to sell them and confessed taking them to the home of a friend, the story noted.


According to the story, police searched the home of Giraldo's friend and recovered the eight Torahs and their silver adornments.


An order of protection was issued, barring Giraldo from visiting the Temple where he had lived while employed as a janitor for eight years, the story added.