Attorneys for three men indicted after Binghamton police investigated sexual assault allegations are calling for the charges against their clients to be dropped.

The lawyers representing Jordan Rindgen, Yaron Kweller and Leor Kweller want Broome County district attorney Michael Korchak to immediately dismiss all charges.

Rindgen and Yaron Kweller were partners in The Colonial, a popular Court Street bar and restaurant. They and Yaron Kweller's brother, Leor Kweller, were indicted last March on felony charges related to an alleged incident that was said to have occurred on November 27, 2021.

In addition to the request that the charges be dropped, the attorneys want an investigation into the possibility that the complainants in the case may have lied to a grand jury and deleted text messages about the purported incident.

The lawyers acted after reviewing text messages from the cellphones of the complainants. The evidence was recently made available to the attorneys.

Responding to a request for comment from WNBF News, a spokesperson for district attorney Michael Korchak on Friday afternoon wrote: "Our office would not be permitted to discuss that at this time."

Rindgen was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance, sexual abuse, criminal sexual act, criminal facilitation and unlawfully dealing with a child. Yaron Kweller was charged with rape and criminal sexual act. Leor Kweller was charged with rape and sexual abuse.

Binghamton police announced arrests in connection with an incident at 141 Washington Street nearly three months after it allegedly happened. All three men entered not guilty pleas when they appeared in Broome County Court on March 31.

A formal motion to dismiss the charges was made Friday, one year and one day after Rindgen and Yaron Kweller were arrested. Leor Kweller was arrested a few days later.

Word of the alleged incident first circulated on social media. After several days, Binghamton police announced they were conducting an investigation.

The Colonial and two other downtown restaurants temporarily closed as rumors swirled on social media sites. Hundreds of people participated in a march and demonstration outside the restaurants.

The Colonial and Dos Rios Cantina permanently ceased operations last April due to financial problems related to the criminal allegations.

A demonstration in front of The Colonial and Dos Rios on December 11, 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A demonstration in front of The Colonial and Dos Rios on December 11, 2021. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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