Article on Falsely Accused Washington Hebrew Congregation Preschool Teacher

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Disturbing role of DCUM in this article too.

I would like to comment on this. Much of this occurred in 2018 and, as such, my memory of what happened leaves a lot to be desired. But, as I recall, there were several threads about allegations of child abuse at Washington Hebrew that I deleted because they were not supported beyond what appeared to be gossip. I think the first thread that I allowed was this one:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/746814.page

Which was started with a statement from the school.

I remember working pretty hard to keep the alleged perpetrator's name out of the thread. I just checked and the name doesn't appear in the thread at all. I don't agree with the claim that any post defending the suspect was deleted, though he may well have grounds to believe that was the case. What I remember were frequent reports claiming that posts defended child sexual assault. More than likely, I removed some of those and left some, though at this point I really don't know for sure.

In subsequent threads, I allowed the suspect's name to be posted because the threads had links to official documents which provided the name. It was therefore, already public.

I don't remember any posts making threats and, if I had been made aware of any, I would have removed them.

Clearly, DCUM threads were used to spread what now appear to have been false allegations. I could defend these posts, but that wouldn't change the reality. The bottom line is that I regret that this occurred.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disturbing role of DCUM in this article too.

A few weeks later, on Halloween night, someone scattered dozens of flyers on Silverman’s lawn. They included his name and photo, with a warning to neighbors to beware of the predator who had been accused of “sexually abusing 2, 3, and 4-year-old children.”

The accusations then began to pop up in online forums, particularly on Facebook and the forum DCUrbanMom.com. “They were accusing me of horrible things,” Silverman says. “There were threats and people posting that if the police don’t arrest me, someone ought to take matters into their own hands. Any posts that defended me were deleted.”

In late 2018, the harassment escalated. Silverman received threatening letters spelled out with characters cut from magazines, similar to a ransom letter. One read, “Evidence is mounting you sick f***.” Another included the line, “You aint worth the blood that runs in your veins.” In mid-December someone spray painted “child rapist” in front of Silverman’s home — the first of several such incidents. On Christmas night, his security camera caught a man smashing out the window and taillight of his car with a club. A month later, someone busted the back window and one of the headlights.

In late January 2019, on the advice of his attorney, Silverman documented 11 incidents of harassment and sent them to local police. During one spray painting incident, he was actually able to take a photo of the perpetrator’s license plate. He would later send that information to a private investigator, who found that the car had been rented by a father whose kids attended WHC — and who was friendly with Robert and Alison.

I think it’s less about the forum and more about the mob mentality of online spaces. Reddit and Facebook also had many active discussions condemning this man and the school director.

I don’t know how to break this to you, but DCUM is an online space.

One that has certainly demonstrated mob mentality at times over the past 20 years.

Uh yes…This isn’t just about DCUM, it’s about all online forums. Nothing I said above excludes DCUM from being an online space that leads to mob mentality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disturbing role of DCUM in this article too.

A few weeks later, on Halloween night, someone scattered dozens of flyers on Silverman’s lawn. They included his name and photo, with a warning to neighbors to beware of the predator who had been accused of “sexually abusing 2, 3, and 4-year-old children.”

The accusations then began to pop up in online forums, particularly on Facebook and the forum DCUrbanMom.com. “They were accusing me of horrible things,” Silverman says. “There were threats and people posting that if the police don’t arrest me, someone ought to take matters into their own hands. Any posts that defended me were deleted.”

In late 2018, the harassment escalated. Silverman received threatening letters spelled out with characters cut from magazines, similar to a ransom letter. One read, “Evidence is mounting you sick f***.” Another included the line, “You aint worth the blood that runs in your veins.” In mid-December someone spray painted “child rapist” in front of Silverman’s home — the first of several such incidents. On Christmas night, his security camera caught a man smashing out the window and taillight of his car with a club. A month later, someone busted the back window and one of the headlights.

In late January 2019, on the advice of his attorney, Silverman documented 11 incidents of harassment and sent them to local police. During one spray painting incident, he was actually able to take a photo of the perpetrator’s license plate. He would later send that information to a private investigator, who found that the car had been rented by a father whose kids attended WHC — and who was friendly with Robert and Alison.

I think it’s less about the forum and more about the mob mentality of online spaces. Reddit and Facebook also had many active discussions condemning this man and the school director.

I don’t know how to break this to you, but DCUM is an online space.

One that has certainly demonstrated mob mentality at times over the past 20 years.

Uh yes…This isn’t just about DCUM, it’s about all online forums. Nothing I said above excludes DCUM from being an online space that leads to mob mentality.

I've never heard of this preschool, but sounds like the community there was engaging in a mob mentality if they went to spray paint this preschool teacher's house and smashed his car, rather than let the case take its course through the proper channels with the preschool.

[Anonymous]

I knew he was innocent, and wondered how he would ever get his life back. Very sad for all involved and the reputation of WHC, the most amazing congregation and preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I knew he was innocent, and wondered how he would ever get his life back. Very sad for all involved and the reputation of WHC, the most amazing congregation and preschool.

Is it "amazing" no given that a man had his life ruined by gossip from the congregation and preschool parents.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disturbing role of DCUM in this article too.

I would like to comment on this. Much of this occurred in 2018 and, as such, my memory of what happened leaves a lot to be desired. But, as I recall, there were several threads about allegations of child abuse at Washington Hebrew that I deleted because they were not supported beyond what appeared to be gossip. I think the first thread that I allowed was this one:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/746814.page

Which was started with a statement from the school.

I remember working pretty hard to keep the alleged perpetrator's name out of the thread. I just checked and the name doesn't appear in the thread at all. I don't agree with the claim that any post defending the suspect was deleted, though he may well have grounds to believe that was the case. What I remember were frequent reports claiming that posts defended child sexual assault. More than likely, I removed some of those and left some, though at this point I really don't know for sure.

In subsequent threads, I allowed the suspect's name to be posted because the threads had links to official documents which provided the name. It was therefore, already public.

I don't remember any posts making threats and, if I had been made aware of any, I would have removed them.

Clearly, DCUM threads were used to spread what now appear to have been false allegations. I could defend these posts, but that wouldn't change the reality. The bottom line is that I regret that this occurred.

Thank you for weighing in, Jeff. Please continue to moderate with people's safety and presumption of innocence in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disturbing role of DCUM in this article too.

A few weeks later, on Halloween night, someone scattered dozens of flyers on Silverman’s lawn. They included his name and photo, with a warning to neighbors to beware of the predator who had been accused of “sexually abusing 2, 3, and 4-year-old children.”

The accusations then began to pop up in online forums, particularly on Facebook and the forum DCUrbanMom.com. “They were accusing me of horrible things,” Silverman says. “There were threats and people posting that if the police don’t arrest me, someone ought to take matters into their own hands. Any posts that defended me were deleted.”

In late 2018, the harassment escalated. Silverman received threatening letters spelled out with characters cut from magazines, similar to a ransom letter. One read, “Evidence is mounting you sick f***.” Another included the line, “You aint worth the blood that runs in your veins.” In mid-December someone spray painted “child rapist” in front of Silverman’s home — the first of several such incidents. On Christmas night, his security camera caught a man smashing out the window and taillight of his car with a club. A month later, someone busted the back window and one of the headlights.

In late January 2019, on the advice of his attorney, Silverman documented 11 incidents of harassment and sent them to local police. During one spray painting incident, he was actually able to take a photo of the perpetrator’s license plate. He would later send that information to a private investigator, who found that the car had been rented by a father whose kids attended WHC — and who was friendly with Robert and Alison.

I think it’s less about the forum and more about the mob mentality of online spaces. Reddit and Facebook also had many active discussions condemning this man and the school director.

I don’t know how to break this to you, but DCUM is an online space.

One that has certainly demonstrated mob mentality at times over the past 20 years.

Uh yes…This isn’t just about DCUM, it’s about all online forums. Nothing I said above excludes DCUM from being an online space that leads to mob mentality.

I've never heard of this preschool, but sounds like the community there was engaging in a mob mentality if they went to spray paint this preschool teacher's house and smashed his car, rather than let the case take its course through the proper channels with the preschool.

The article seems to note a few specific people were involved. It’s a shame that they couldn’t be prosecuted.

[Anonymous]

Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disturbing role of DCUM in this article too.

A few weeks later, on Halloween night, someone scattered dozens of flyers on Silverman’s lawn. They included his name and photo, with a warning to neighbors to beware of the predator who had been accused of “sexually abusing 2, 3, and 4-year-old children.”

The accusations then began to pop up in online forums, particularly on Facebook and the forum DCUrbanMom.com. “They were accusing me of horrible things,” Silverman says. “There were threats and people posting that if the police don’t arrest me, someone ought to take matters into their own hands. Any posts that defended me were deleted.”

In late 2018, the harassment escalated. Silverman received threatening letters spelled out with characters cut from magazines, similar to a ransom letter. One read, “Evidence is mounting you sick f***.” Another included the line, “You aint worth the blood that runs in your veins.” In mid-December someone spray painted “child rapist” in front of Silverman’s home — the first of several such incidents. On Christmas night, his security camera caught a man smashing out the window and taillight of his car with a club. A month later, someone busted the back window and one of the headlights.

In late January 2019, on the advice of his attorney, Silverman documented 11 incidents of harassment and sent them to local police. During one spray painting incident, he was actually able to take a photo of the perpetrator’s license plate. He would later send that information to a private investigator, who found that the car had been rented by a father whose kids attended WHC — and who was friendly with Robert and Alison.

I think it’s less about the forum and more about the mob mentality of online spaces. Reddit and Facebook also had many active discussions condemning this man and the school director.

I don’t know how to break this to you, but DCUM is an online space.

One that has certainly demonstrated mob mentality at times over the past 20 years.

Uh yes…This isn’t just about DCUM, it’s about all online forums. Nothing I said above excludes DCUM from being an online space that leads to mob mentality.

I've never heard of this preschool, but sounds like the community there was engaging in a mob mentality if they went to spray paint this preschool teacher's house and smashed his car, rather than let the case take its course through the proper channels with the preschool.

The article seems to note a few specific people were involved. It’s a shame that they couldn’t be prosecuted.

The families engaged a lawyer who was a child pornographer.
https://wtop.com/dc/2023/04/lawyer-who-represented-students-in-dc-abuse-case-now-faces-child-pornography-charges/
A digital forensic analysis done by the FBI found nearly 2,000 images and five videos of child pornography, according to the complaint.

While he lived in Florida, Dolce represented families in the D.C. area in 2019 when they filed a civil lawsuit against the Washington Hebrew Congregation preschool after allegations that a male teacher sexually abused at least eight children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disturbing role of DCUM in this article too.

A few weeks later, on Halloween night, someone scattered dozens of flyers on Silverman’s lawn. They included his name and photo, with a warning to neighbors to beware of the predator who had been accused of “sexually abusing 2, 3, and 4-year-old children.”

The accusations then began to pop up in online forums, particularly on Facebook and the forum DCUrbanMom.com. “They were accusing me of horrible things,” Silverman says. “There were threats and people posting that if the police don’t arrest me, someone ought to take matters into their own hands. Any posts that defended me were deleted.”

In late 2018, the harassment escalated. Silverman received threatening letters spelled out with characters cut from magazines, similar to a ransom letter. One read, “Evidence is mounting you sick f***.” Another included the line, “You aint worth the blood that runs in your veins.” In mid-December someone spray painted “child rapist” in front of Silverman’s home — the first of several such incidents. On Christmas night, his security camera caught a man smashing out the window and taillight of his car with a club. A month later, someone busted the back window and one of the headlights.

In late January 2019, on the advice of his attorney, Silverman documented 11 incidents of harassment and sent them to local police. During one spray painting incident, he was actually able to take a photo of the perpetrator’s license plate. He would later send that information to a private investigator, who found that the car had been rented by a father whose kids attended WHC — and who was friendly with Robert and Alison.

I think it’s less about the forum and more about the mob mentality of online spaces. Reddit and Facebook also had many active discussions condemning this man and the school director.

I don’t know how to break this to you, but DCUM is an online space.

One that has certainly demonstrated mob mentality at times over the past 20 years.

Uh yes…This isn’t just about DCUM, it’s about all online forums. Nothing I said above excludes DCUM from being an online space that leads to mob mentality.

I've never heard of this preschool, but sounds like the community there was engaging in a mob mentality if they went to spray paint this preschool teacher's house and smashed his car, rather than let the case take its course through the proper channels with the preschool.

The article seems to note a few specific people were involved. It’s a shame that they couldn’t be prosecuted.

The families engaged a lawyer who was a child pornographer.
https://wtop.com/dc/2023/04/lawyer-who-represented-students-in-dc-abuse-case-now-faces-child-pornography-charges/
A digital forensic analysis done by the FBI found nearly 2,000 images and five videos of child pornography, according to the complaint.

While he lived in Florida, Dolce represented families in the D.C. area in 2019 when they filed a civil lawsuit against the Washington Hebrew Congregation preschool after allegations that a male teacher sexually abused at least eight children.

The irony. He was also in bed in the process of downloading more images when he was arrested. And he was only given 4 years.

I couldn’t find any articles where the families spoke out against him.

[Anonymous]

I remember when the story first came out, although we didn't have kids there or attend that synagogue.

It's tragic that this man's life has been destroyed, his relationship with his kids irreparably ruined, all due to gossip. The main characters who started this, "Robert" and "Allison" in the story, are the ones who should be prosecuted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember when the story first came out, although we didn't have kids there or attend that synagogue.

It's tragic that this man's life has been destroyed, his relationship with his kids irreparably ruined, all due to gossip. The main characters who started this, "Robert" and "Allison" in the story, are the ones who should be prosecuted.

The story is silent as to whether "Robert" the WHC parent who hurled the accusations at the preschool teacher was ever investigated himself for when a different preschool teacher reported to DC Children's and Family Services that his daughter drew a picture showing daddy with a snake between his legs. I hope that little girl got some help and is away from the people who hurt her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember when the story first came out, although we didn't have kids there or attend that synagogue.

It's tragic that this man's life has been destroyed, his relationship with his kids irreparably ruined, all due to gossip. The main characters who started this, "Robert" and "Allison" in the story, are the ones who should be prosecuted.

+1 Plus the WHC families who graffitied the teacher's house and trashed his car in their ill-conceived form of vigilante justice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disturbing role of DCUM in this article too.

A few weeks later, on Halloween night, someone scattered dozens of flyers on Silverman’s lawn. They included his name and photo, with a warning to neighbors to beware of the predator who had been accused of “sexually abusing 2, 3, and 4-year-old children.”

The accusations then began to pop up in online forums, particularly on Facebook and the forum DCUrbanMom.com. “They were accusing me of horrible things,” Silverman says. “There were threats and people posting that if the police don’t arrest me, someone ought to take matters into their own hands. Any posts that defended me were deleted.”

In late 2018, the harassment escalated. Silverman received threatening letters spelled out with characters cut from magazines, similar to a ransom letter. One read, “Evidence is mounting you sick f***.” Another included the line, “You aint worth the blood that runs in your veins.” In mid-December someone spray painted “child rapist” in front of Silverman’s home — the first of several such incidents. On Christmas night, his security camera caught a man smashing out the window and taillight of his car with a club. A month later, someone busted the back window and one of the headlights.

In late January 2019, on the advice of his attorney, Silverman documented 11 incidents of harassment and sent them to local police. During one spray painting incident, he was actually able to take a photo of the perpetrator’s license plate. He would later send that information to a private investigator, who found that the car had been rented by a father whose kids attended WHC — and who was friendly with Robert and Alison.

I think it’s less about the forum and more about the mob mentality of online spaces. Reddit and Facebook also had many active discussions condemning this man and the school director.

I don’t know how to break this to you, but DCUM is an online space.

One that has certainly demonstrated mob mentality at times over the past 20 years.

Uh yes…This isn’t just about DCUM, it’s about all online forums. Nothing I said above excludes DCUM from being an online space that leads to mob mentality.

I've never heard of this preschool, but sounds like the community there was engaging in a mob mentality if they went to spray paint this preschool teacher's house and smashed his car, rather than let the case take its course through the proper channels with the preschool.

The article seems to note a few specific people were involved. It’s a shame that they couldn’t be prosecuted.

The families engaged a lawyer who was a child pornographer.
https://wtop.com/dc/2023/04/lawyer-who-represented-students-in-dc-abuse-case-now-faces-child-pornography-charges/
A digital forensic analysis done by the FBI found nearly 2,000 images and five videos of child pornography, according to the complaint.

While he lived in Florida, Dolce represented families in the D.C. area in 2019 when they filed a civil lawsuit against the Washington Hebrew Congregation preschool after allegations that a male teacher sexually abused at least eight children.

The irony. He was also in bed in the process of downloading more images when he was arrested. And he was only given 4 years.

I couldn’t find any articles where the families spoke out against him.

Nope no one at WHC spoke out against the pedophile lawyer they hired to pursue its false accusations again a preschool teacher. Nor can you find any articles other than the one posted in the OP that mentions that the preschool teacher was cleared, or any public apology from WHC or its community to him for making his life hell. And that poor man still lost custody to his kids and any hope of gainful employment because his reputation is ruined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember when the story first came out, although we didn't have kids there or attend that synagogue.

It's tragic that this man's life has been destroyed, his relationship with his kids irreparably ruined, all due to gossip. The main characters who started this, "Robert" and "Allison" in the story, are the ones who should be prosecuted.

But they get to remain anonymous even though some people actually engaged in actual criminal conduct like smashing his car and vandalizing property.