RABBI PLEADS TO LESSER DRUG CHARGE

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A rabbi once honored as "Rabbi of the Year" by his
colleagues admitted smuggling illegal items into a federal prison, though
he denied intentionally carrying contraband drugs.

Eli Gottesman, 74, of Ogdensburg agreed to plead guilty Tuesday to
conspiracy to defraud the government by bringing in items such as Stars of
David, clothing, watches and food.

Authorities said Gottesman tried to smuggle a shampoo bottle filled with
cocaine and marijuana encased in balloons into the medium-security lockup
at Ray Brook in the Adirondack Mountains.

Gottesman insisted he knew nothing about drugs.

"The bottle was sent to me," he said.

He was originally charged with attempting to provide contraband and could
have been sentenced up to 20 years in prison and fined $250,000.

If U.S. District Judge Thomas McAvoy accepts the plea agreement, Gottesman
would be sentenced Jan. 5 to a year in prison or less.

Gottesman, honored as "Rabbi of the Year" in 1987 by the New York Board of
Rabbis, had worked as a contract employee at Ray Brook since 1991.
Government employees are not supposed to bring anything into a prison, his
lawyer, Brian Premo, said.

The rabbi's contract was terminated after his arrest in October.