(AP) - The arrests of politicians and religiousleaders in what authorities describe as an international corruptionand money laundering operation are putting the insular SyrianJewish community at the Jersey shore in an uncomfortable spotlight.

Two of the rabbis charged Thursday with money laundering headedJewish congregations in Deal.

The wealthy Monmouth County beach community is home to about10,000 Syrian Jews year-round, and the population surges to threetimes that much in the summer, fueled by vacationers from Brooklyn.

A member of a synagogue headed by one of the defendants says thecharges are hard to believe, given the rabbi's sermons on the needto be ethical.

To watch the press conference announcing the arrests and statements from Gov. Corzine, go to Channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.