CLEVELAND  -- Prosecutors will be able to tell jurors about alleged sexual "counseling" of Amish wives by a man charged with masterminding beard- and hair-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio.

A federal judge ruled Monday that he'll allow testimony about the Amish man's sexual activities with married women.

Sixteen Amish defendants are charged in beard- and hair-cutting attacks and face trial next week in Cleveland.

The government says alleged sexual "counseling" of wives by Samuel Mullet Sr. shows the control he had over followers at their farm in Jefferson County, Ohio.

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports Mullet's attorney argued the testimony is highly prejudicial.

Cutting a man's beard or a woman's hair is considered highly offensive to the Amish. The defendants say it was a matter of church discipline.