I think everyone is talking around an issue involving Lakewood. I will speak directly:
There are reports that about 10 people in Lakewood are suspected – but not convicted – of lying to get government benefits, and some of these people are learning in Kollel. If it’s only these 10, or even 20 or 30, and they are guilty of the alleged offenses, that says nothing about Lakewood, but it does say something about the 10 or 20 or 30 wrongdoers.
The negative and defensive responses to these reports are premature. They also imply that the people responding believe that some of the accused are in fact guilty, and that the problem is widespread in Lakewood. No news media have reported anything like that. The respondents should hold their tongues and sit on their hands, and step away from their keyboards, until there are facts reported beyond the current, not-yet-proven accusations.