UPDATE::Miami Beach Rabbi Accused of Molestation May Have Tried to Buy Off Victim's Mother | Miami New Times

Remember when I said this story had a bit of creepiness to it?

Police accuse him of inappropriately touching and kissing an 11-year old girl that he’s known for five years.

Officers said once they arrested Karro, he said he touched the girl’s buttocks for a “‘cleansing,’ as she was exhibiting negative energy.”

 Well it appears that another odd twist has bee added:

Steve Karro, a substitute rabbi at Shaare Ezra Sephardic Congregation and a well-known local artist with his own gallery in Miami Beach, was arrested last month on charges that he molested an 11-year-old girl. Now the child's family claims Karro handed the alleged victim's mother $500 in cash just days before his arrest in order to buy her silence.
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The family has since retained the services of lawyer Jeff Herman, well known for defending victims of sexual abuse cases, including those in the Catholic Church, and now claims Karro tried to buy the family's silence.

A video shows Karro showing up at the mother's job at a restaurant and handing her an envelope. The mother claims it contained $500 cash and turned it over to Miami Beach Police. Karro told Local 10 that the money was for something else but refused to elaborate, citing advice from his legal counsel.

Miami Beach Rabbi Accused of Molestation May Have Tried to Buy Off Victim's Mother | Miami New Times

Miami Beach rabbi suspected of molesting 11-year-old girl | Jewish Telegraphic Agency

A rabbi from Miami Beach, Florida, was arrested on suspicion that he molested an 11-year-old girl at his art gallery.

Police said Rabbi Steve Karro, 55, placed the child on his lap last month and kissed her on the neck, then touched her bottom, the Miami Herald reported on Thursday.

After questioning by police, Karro proclaimed his innocence. “There was nothing inappropriate, nothing that violated anybody’s right,” he said, according to CBSMiami.com. 

A substitute rabbi at Miami Beach’s Shaare Ezra Sephardic Synagogue Congregation, Karro is facing charges for alleged lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12, and lewd and lascivious conduct on a child under 16.

Karro told CBS4: “It was not touch, it was hug and the way I hug everybody, the way I hug all the kids, the way I caress them, the way I give everybody love. It was the same like everybody else.” Asked if there was kissing, he added: “There was plenty of time kissing, hugging, yes.” He also gave the girl a bag of candy.

Maybe I am reading a bit too much into this and these are only allegations (although he was arrested), but that last bit is creepy.  From CBS Miami, 

Police accuse him of inappropriately touching and kissing an 11-year old girl that he’s known for five years.

Officers said once they arrested Karro, he said he touched the girl’s buttocks for a “‘cleansing,’ as she was exhibiting negative energy.”

Miami Beach rabbi suspected of molesting 11-year-old girl | Jewish Telegraphic Agency