A mother of five has come forward publicly to share what she describes as a prolonged and escalating campaign of emotional, financial, and legal mistreatment by her ex-husband, Avi Stern, in the years following their separation. Her aim in speaking out is to ensure the safety of her children, seek justice, and hold the alleged abuser accountable within their shared community.
Eighteen Years of Alleged Coercive Control
The mother recounts that throughout their 18-year marriage, she endured repeated acts of psychological manipulation, emotional intimidation, and coercive control. She claims that Stern often used their children as leverage, employing threats of separation and exposing them to distressing situations, such as lengthy car rides with infants during early morning hours, as a means of control.
Inside the household, the mother recalls explosive anger, destruction of property, and repeated domestic turmoil that left the family living in fear. She describes episodes in which Stern allegedly created crises and then left abruptly, a tactic she says was used to maintain emotional dominance.
With the support of a religious leader who she says witnessed this behavior, the mother ended the marriage. However, she states that the abuse did not stop; it intensified.
Claims of Financial Deception and Legal Abuse
The mother accuses Stern of purposefully undermining her financial stability in the lead-up to their separation.
She alleges he:
- Stole valuable jewelry and sentimental family heirlooms.
- Emptied their joint accounts without notice and liquidated trust assets.
- Initiated fraudulent chargebacks on her personal credit cards.
After filing for divorce, the mother claims Stern began presenting false information to the court to cast her in a negative light. Aware of her limited financial capacity to defend herself legally, she says he manipulated the legal system to portray her as mentally unwell or incapable, despite her being the sole caregiver for their five children.
Ongoing Harassment and Smear Campaign
Since the separation, the mother alleges a concerted effort to sabotage her reputation and livelihood. She claims Stern, often with the help of an associate named Moriah (a former acquaintance), created fake social media profiles to stalk and harass her online, while also spreading damaging lies about her, her family, and even her employers.
She further alleges that Stern attempted to sabotage her professional life by filing unfounded complaints to entities such as the IRS and municipal departments, aiming to isolate her and inflict both reputational and financial harm.
Escalating Behavior and Community Defamation
The mother describes an alarming pattern of behavior that she believes is escalating. She states that Stern deliberately moved next door to her new place of employment, only to then accuse her of stalking him. This, she says, was a calculated move to further manipulate legal proceedings.
Additionally, she alleges that Stern has weaponized religious narratives and community gossip, spreading hurtful statements after the deaths of several close family members, claiming the losses were divine retribution or punishment. She accuses him of falsely accusing her relatives of misconduct, all in an effort to further damage her relationships and credibility.
Concerns Surrounding Current Partner’s Behavior
Stern is reportedly still in a relationship with Moriah, a woman with whom he allegedly began an affair during the marriage.
The mother raises concerns about Moriah’s continued employment at a local daycare, citing past incidents such as:
- Allegedly physically assaulting her teenage son.
- Publicly insulting the mother in front of her children.
- Neglecting basic care needs of the children, including failing to provide adequate food.
She believes the relationship between Stern and Moriah has had a direct and harmful impact on her children’s emotional and physical well-being.
Allegations of Continued Abuse and Control Tactics
The mother asserts that Stern continues to:
- Undermine her ability to maintain stable employment.
- Avoid participating in co-parenting or addressing the children’s educational needs.
- Contribute only minimal court-mandated child support ($800 for five children).
- Become unreachable during key moments of financial or parental responsibility.
- Rely on manipulation, deception, and intimidation to sustain power over the family.
She emphasizes that what she’s experiencing is not just a contentious divorce, but a sustained effort to dominate and destabilize her life through coercive control, financial abuse, stalking, and parental alienation, all of which, she says, are deeply harming the children.
A Plea for Help and Accountability
The mother maintains that this abuse has implications far beyond her household, seeding division within the community and misusing trusted institutions for personal gain. She says she has records, documents, and witness testimonies to back her claims and is now asking for support to protect her children and rebuild a secure future.
She is specifically seeking:
- Legal support or referrals to experienced attorneys.
- Public awareness to hold her ex-husband and his associate accountable.
- Emotional support as she shares her story.
- Collective vigilance against the misuse of misinformation as a weapon.
By speaking publicly, she says she is taking a brave step toward healing and justice; not only for herself, but for her children’s safety and future. This message, she notes, is a call for protection, truth, and a renewed sense of peace for a family that has endured too much for too long.
