Report: Former Nevada Broadcasters Association Pres./CEO Bob Fisher Admits 'Improper Behavior' With Teens In Past

Fisher

Former NEVADA BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION President/CEO BOB FISHER has admitted in an article in NEW YORK JEWISH WEEK that he engaged in "improper behavior" with teenage boys in the late 1980s.  

FISHER, then the leader of the Pacific Southwest Region of UNITED SYNAGOGUE YOUTH, had been accused by two men who were teens in FISHER's organization at the time of having the boys sleep over at his LOS ANGELES house and in his bed.  One, DAVID BENKOF, then 18 and the International President of the group, alleged that FISHER "told me to sleep in his bed with him and even tried to shame me into undressing while he watched, saying ‘I’ve never known an international president to be shy.’”  Another, identified only as "BEN," then 16, said that he had slept over at FISHER's house and in his bed without incident until one occasion in which he awoke to FISHER massaging his legs and "slowly working his way up with his hands."  BENKOF said he reported his incidents to UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM EVP Rabbi JEROME EPSTEIN and nothing was done; EPSTEIN told the paper he did confront FISHER but that FISHER denied the story, no corroborating evidence was found, and EPSTEIN decided not to pursue the matter further.

Contacted by JEWISH WEEK's GARY ROSENBLATT, FISHER said he “had no desire to lie, to you, or to anyone,” admitted the "improper activity" (including previous additional incidents with two high school students in ST. PAUL) have left him "carry(ing) shame and regret," and that he wishes he "could go back and apologize, but I brought this on myself.”  He said that he did not use physical force on anyone and has been through therapy to help him with his sexual behavior.  FISHER, who hosted brokered weekend shows "HEALTH OBSERVATIONS" and "AMERICA'S DIABETES HOUR" SUNDAYS on BEASLEY News-Talk KDWN-A/LAS VEGAS, resigned after 22 years at the helm of the NEVADA BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION in 2014 and from the UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM in 2002.  The KDWN shows have disappeared from the station's website and schedule, the shows' and FISHER's social media accounts have been deleted, and the NOVEMBER 19th episode is the last to have been posted as a podcast.

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