RANDOLPH (MA)
Boston Herald
by Dave Wedge
Sunday, April 13, 2003
The longtime cantor of a Randolph temple faces charges he repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted a mentally retarded woman over a two-year period, officials say.
Robert D. Shapiro, 69, has been suspended from his duties as hazzan, or cantor, at Temple Beth Am in the wake of the disturbing allegations. Shapiro, who has served at the Randolph temple for 25 years, was indicted this week on seven counts of rape and 14 counts of indecent assault and battery on a mentally retarded person, said Dan Feeney, spokesman for Norfolk District Attorney William Keating.
Authorities say the incidents took place between Jan. 1, 2001, and Jan. 31 of this year. The allegations surfaced when the alleged victim’s family met with the temple’s rabbi, Loel Weiss. Police were contacted after the February meeting.
Shapiro was charged with sexual assault in Quincy District Court on Feb. 21 and will be arraigned on the new charges within weeks in Dedham Superior Court, Feeney said. Shapiro, who is free on bail, declined comment when reached last night at his home.
