Seaford, NY Lutheran pastor charged with sex crimes

[Ian David]

Black Collar Crime

Cops: Seaford pastor charged with sex crimes
BY LAURA RIVERA | [e-mail]
11:46 PM EDT, March 30, 2009

A Seaford pastor charged with misdemeanor sex crimes is accused in court papers of groping a woman on the dance floor at a church party for adults in October. He later mailed her an apology letter, according to police and court records.

Officials at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Monday said the Rev. Ronald M. Klose has been banned from holding one-on-one meetings while the case is under investigation.

Klose, 58, of Marion Court, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of forcible touching in connection with the Oct. 24 incident, which the charges say happened at an Octoberfest celebration at the church, on Washington Avenue.

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Among the sources of information underpinning the allegations, court records cite videotape of part of the incident, a letter of apology Klose mailed to the victim and five witness statements, including those from the victim and her husband.

More:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/nassau/ny-lipast3112601419mar31,0,7565440.story