Rabbi Barry Freundel, the former spiritual leader at a prominent Washington synagogue, Kesher Israel, in the US has pleaded guilty to 52 counts of misdemeanor voyeurism.

The plea means that Freundel could be sentenced to a maximum penalty of 52 years in prison and ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines. Sentencing was postponed until 15 May.

Freundel, 63, was arrested last October on six charges of voyeurism after investigators discovered secret cameras installed in the mikvah shower room and additional recording devices in his home.

The government requested that Freundel wear an electronic ankle bracelet. Prosecutors have told alleged victims that Freundel secretly recorded more than 150 women undressing at the mikvah. Women were videotaped as they used the National Capital Mikvah.

“I didn’t expect it to be over. I am glad it is,” said Jeffrey Shulevitz, the husband of Emma Shulevitz, one of Freundel’s victims. “The rabbi was a brilliant man, and he used it to harm people instead of making the world a better place.”

Civil suits have been filed against Freundel, the synagogue, the mikvah and the Rabbinical Council of America.