Ex-Temple Frat President to Stand Trial on Sexual Assault Charges
After a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Ari Goldstein's lawyer, Perry de Marco Sr., lit a cigar and called the case "#MeToo gone wild."
L: Ari Goldstein, via the Philadelphia Police Department. R: Alpha Epsilon Pi, via Google Maps.
The former Temple University fraternity president accused of attempted rape will stand trial for seven sexual assault-related charges next month.
During a preliminary hearing at the Criminal Justice Center in Center City on Thursday, a Temple student recounted her alleged traumatic experience with 21-year-old Ari Goldstein, who was arrested in May.
The student has accused Goldstein of forcing himself on her in his fraternity bedroom, where he allegedly dug his knees into her thigh, leaving a bruise, then attempted to force her to perform a sex act. She said the incident occurred during a fraternity party on February 25th, and that she was able to run downstairs and flee.
After the student’s testimony, Municipal Court Judge Lydia Y. Kirkland held Goldstein for trial on seven charges: attempted rape, intimidation of witnesses or victims, indecent assault, unlawful restraint, simple assault, false imprisonment, and attempted sexual assault. He awaits a formal arraignment on August 2nd.
Goldstein’s lawyer, Perry de Marco Sr., lit a large cigar after the hearing and called the case “#MeToo gone wild.”
“Make a scene, make a point for #MeToo,” de Marco said, per 6ABC. “[Those are] her motives, and I’ll prove that. I’ll prove that beyond all doubt … I got evidence that will make you do somersaults.”
Ari Goldstein a former Temple Fraternity president to face multiple sex charges in Common Pleas Court. A 19 yr old woman testified today Goldstein forced himself on her. Def. Attorney Perry de Marco blasting the prosecution claiming this is “Me Too” gone wild. pic.twitter.com/VpFosvcGPK
— . (@JRawlins6abc) July 19, 2018
Goldstein, an engineering major from Wrightstown, Pa., is the former president of Temple’s Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. He was arrested and charged with attempted rape less than a month after the university suspended the fraternity, a large brownstone building located at Broad and Norris streets, over sexual assault allegations from multiple women. He was released from jail in May after posting 10 percent of a $2 million bail.
Police said they spoke to the woman who accused Goldstein of sexual assault on April 13th, roughly 10 days before the fraternity was suspended amid allegations. At the time, Temple officials said they had received “credible reports” of sexual assault, underage and excessive drinking, and possible drug use at the fraternity.
