NEW YORK (CNN) — New York officials want to know how a jail inmate threw a lavish bar mitzvah for his son inside a detention facility, complete with live music and catered kosher food.
The gala, attended by about 60 people, took place in the visiting room of the Manhattan Detention Complex, a facility known locally as “The Tombs,” according to a spokeswoman for New York City’s Department of Investigation. Officials have launched a probe of how Tuvia Stern pulled off the event without raising any red flags, she said.
Five correction employees, including a rabbi, an assistant commissioner, a warden and two assistant chiefs, are being disciplined as a result of the incident, said Stephen Morello from the city’s Department of Corrections.
The New York Post, which first broke the story on Thursday, reported that guests were allowed to use cell phones — which are normally prohibited at the jail.
This is just another one of the weird stories that seems to plague New York City. We have long lived in a city where certain groups get very special special treatment according to who the Mayor is. Sometimes the special treatment is targeted towards a group for votes or sometimes its a just because situation.
This is a clear instance in which favoritism has clearly gone way too far. This is sad and should be unacceptable by any of the 9 million New York’s who read about this happening.
Mayor Mike, no comment is not acceptable; this is a time when we need you to comment the most. Things like this must stop in New York.
Stern, 47, is serving at least 2 1/2 years for a first-degree grand larceny conviction, according to corrections officials.
Manhattan prosecutors refused comment.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, speaking on a morning radio show Friday, would not divulge details about the investigation, but quipped, “As they say, oy vey.”
All parties involved should not be disciplined; they should all be fired immediately.
Tags: New York | NYC | Crime | Bloomberg | mayor | World | Jewish | RABBI | US Politics | corrections
