Charges Brought Over 'Gynecological Exams'

By CONN CORRIGAN, Special to the Sun | August 26, 2008

A businessman who allegedly posed as a doctor and performed "gynecological exams" on Orthodox Jewish women in their late teens and 20s has been indicted on multiple counts of sexual abuse and unauthorized practice of a profession, the Manhattan district attorney's office said yesterday.

Zalman Silber, 41, of Monsey, allegedly told women that they would be paid about $100 to participate in an insurance survey or medical examination. He rented out a space at a Murray Hill doctor's office, at 15-17 Park Ave., between spring 2003 and January 2004, where the alleged crimes took place.

Mr. Silber, who was arrested at his home on June 12, was arraigned yesterday in New York State Supreme Court. A businessman whose former defense attorney told the Manhattan Criminal Court in June that he earned more than $1 million a year, Mr. Silber was previously the operator of the Empire State Building's Skyride, which offers a simulated tour of New York City.

Mr. Silber faces similar charges in Rockland County, where he was indicted on 28 counts of sexual abuse of a Monsey woman earlier this month. Along with a former policeman, Andrew Dale, the Rockland County district attorney's office said, Mr. Silber is also charged with practicing medicine without a license, between late 2005 and 2006. Mr. Dale was charged with two counts of official misconduct. Michael Klein, the town attorney for Ramapo, where Mr. Dale worked as a police officer, confirmed that Mr. Dale had been fired from his job last week as a result of the allegations.

Two weeks ago, Mr. Silber pleaded not guilty to the charges at Rockland County court, his lawyer, William Aronwald, said. He is due to appear in the court again September 9.

Speaking about the charges Mr. Silber faces in New York State Supreme Court, his Manhattan lawyer, Jacob Laufer, said the businessman had recently divorced and that his ex-wife was behind the allegations. "The impetus for these charges stems from his ex-wife. I believe that his ex-wife is a bitter person who is unhappy with her property settlement, and instigated a criminal investigation," Mr. Laufer said. "We are very confident that Mr. Silber will be completely vindicated."

A spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney's office declined to comment on what role, if any, Mr. Silber's ex-wife had in the case.

If convicted of unauthorized practice of a profession, Mr. Silber faces up to four years in jail; if convicted of forcible touching, he faces up to a year in jail. He is due to appear in New York State Supreme Court again September 18, the Manhattan district attorney's office spokeswoman said.