Former Scarsdale Dean Mendelowitz Receives Light Sentence

Former Scarsdale High School Dean David Mendelowitz was sentenced to 5 years' probation on Monday for his part in a federal prostitution and drug ring. Mendelowitz pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution and drug possession, only two among the several charges he faced. Late last fall, Mendelowitz was arrested and named in a 180-count federal, state and local indictment that charged 19 people in a prostitution ring. Authorities say Mendelowitz confessed to arranging for drugs and for the services of prostitutes named Yoyo and Suji through one of the men accused in the ring. He was also accused of tipping off one of his contacts to the government's investigation.

Mendelowitz could have faced up to four years in prison. As part of his probation conditions, he will have to undergo random, weekly drug tests and continue attending AA meetings.

While at Scarsdale High School, Mendelowitz was involved with the schools' Drug and Alcohol Task Force and Signifer Honors Society. News of his indictment shocked the Scarsdale community on November 20th due to his role as a community leader and role model and because he abused the same laws he upheld as a member of the Drug and Alcohol Task Force in Scarsdale.

Did the former Dean get off easy? Not according to experts. We spoke to Kerry Lawrence, a former federal prosecutor and now a criminal defense lawyer with Calhoun and Lawrence in White Plains about Mendelowitz's sentence and he said the felony conviction and five years probation was a "typical, appropriate sentence for the offence of conviction which were hindering prosecution and possession of controlled substances." According to Lawrence, "the felony conviction is disabling for Mendelowitz's future and his professional career," and he added "being on probation is punitive and a serious consequence. This is not just a slap on the wrist."

Pictured above – Mendelowitz was recently spotted shopping at CVS.

This article was contributed by Brian Shabto, a senior at Scarsdale High School.