Rabbi resigns over jail bar mitzvah

NEW YORK - A rabbi who works as a chaplain for the city's jails resigned yesterday amid an investigation into a catered bar mitzvah held for an inmate's son at a local lockup, said a spokesman for the Department of Correction.

Rabbi Leib Glanz, who had been suspended for his role in allowing convicted scam artist Tuvia Stern to throw a party for his son at the jail where he was being detained, voluntarily resigned, said department spokesman Stephen Morello.

Glanz is one of five jails officials disciplined for allowing the Dec. 30 bar mitzvah, where about 60 guests were treated to kosher food and listened to Orthodox crooner Yaakov Shwekey perform in the visiting area of the Manhattan Detention Complex.

Guests were allowed to bring their cellphones to the jail, and to use metal forks and knives, both violations of department policy. City taxpayers paid overtime to jail staff to help out with the kosher party.

Peter Curcio, the bureau chief primarily responsible for security in the city's jails, resigned on Monday after also being implicated in allowing the shindig to take place. A probe continues. *