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Thursday August 23, 2007

U.S. shorts

WJC-related lawsuits fly

Tensions have heightened since the World Jewish Congress and its former president, Edgar Bronfman, each filed lawsuits against the organization’s former top professional, Israel Singer. One, filed by Bronfman, alleges that Singer did not pay back more than $500,000 in personal loans stemming from a 2004 investigation by the New York State Attorney General into the WJC’s finances.

As a result of that investigation, which found that Singer and others acted improperly, but not illegally, with WJC funds, Singer was required to pay back more than $300,000 to the organization. He remained employed by the WJC until earlier this year, when he was abruptly fired by Bronfman over alleged financial improprieties.

The suits were filed Aug. 17 in the Supreme Court of New York County. One, filed by Bronfman, alleges that Singer did not pay back more than $500,000 in personal loans stemming from a 2004 investigation by the New York State Attorney General into the WJC’s finances. The alleged loans were intended to pay for legal expenses and for a $300,000 fine.

The other suit, filed by the WJC, claims that after Singer was fired, he never returned WJC property such as computers, televisions, cellular phones and Blackberries, that amount to $19,500. Singer has steadfastly denied all the allegations. “They are nuisance suits and are completely without merit,” he said. — jta

Harvard moves football game

Harvard University’s home football game against Brown has been rescheduled because it conflicted with the start of Yom Kippur. The game was originally scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21. Harvard fans complained, prompting the university to ask Brown to reschedule. The game will now kick off at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22.— jta

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