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Lakewood Shomrim head, Chaim Rubin, charged with attempted bribery of Rabbi beating cop, Erik Menck, and another

The township man behind a new neighborhood watch program — one police officials have yet to endorse because of concerns over how well it would work with law enforcement — has been charged with two counts of attempting to bribe a police officer.

Chaim Rubin, 25, was charged with trying to bribe Officer Erik Menck to help resolve traffic summonses involving Rubin's wife.

The second-degree felony charges against Rubin — each carrying a potential jail term of five to 10 years if he's convicted — predate his forming of Shomrim, a neighborhood watch program.

Shomrim, which roughly translates from Hebrew as "watchers," was formed in the wake of a still-unsolved sexual assault involving a young Orthodox woman.

But Shomrim isn't why Rubin — who declined comment Tuesday — was charged with two counts of bribing Menck. According to both his arrest warrant and an affidavit filed in state Superior Court, Toms River, this week:

Rubin's wife, Raizel, was stopped last fall by Lakewood Officer Michael Ruiz for an undisclosed motor vehicle violation. On Sept. 28, Rubin showed up at Menck's father's house and asked to speak to Menck.

Rubin said that Ruiz stopped Mrs. Rubin and, although the officer didn't have a ticket book on him, said he would later issue summonses. Rubin quickly arrived and told Ruiz that Rubin and Menck were friends.

When Menck and Rubin were finished talking, Rubin handed him an envelope and stated "I appreciate you talking to the other officer."

Rubin left, and when Menck opened the envelope, he found four $100 bills.

Menck talked with Ruiz to confirm Rubin's account and then reported the incident to his superiors in the Police Department.

Public Safety Director Al Peters said Tuesday he would not comment on the case.

Menck also gave a taped statement to Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Senior Investigator Todd L. Friedman, who set up another meeting with Rubin. Menck wore a wire and the conversation was recorded.

"Mr. Rubin acknowledged the $400 bribe and asked if the amount . . . was enough," Friedman wrote in the affidavit. "Mr. Rubin stated that "one hand washes the other' and that he would rather give Erik the money than the government. Mr. Rubin also refers to not needing the summonses and continued to tell Erik to enjoy the money. Mr. Rubin then alluded to offering more money to Patrolman Ruiz if needed."

Rubin and Menck met again Sept. 30. Rubin handed Menck $200 and "discussed that the money would go to Patrolman Ruiz." Rubin said another $100 could be paid, if needed.

On Oct. 7, Menck called Rubin to meet again. When they did, Rubin gave him $100.

Rubin, who lives on Malka Way and moved to Lakewood about two-and-a-half years ago, said Tuesday he could not comment without talking to his lawyer, Abraham Penzer. Penzer's office did not return a call for comment.

Rubin would not say what effect his arrest would have on Shomrim, which operates its own Web site and telephone hotline.

Robert A. Gasser, executive assistant Ocean County prosecutor, said the charges against Rubin were filed Monday because investigators wanted to wait to see if any more incidents of bribery would occur.

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060628/NEWS02/606280410/1070