Rockland County Podiatrist Pleads Guilty in Murder Plot
A podiatrist from Rockland County, Ira Bernstein, has found himself in legal trouble once again after a failed attempt to have his estranged wife killed.
Bernstein, a 51-year-old from Montebello, recently pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence related to a 2022 scheme to murder his ex-wife, Susan Bernstein. This follows a decrease in his prison sentence over the past four years, as indicated by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors noted that a landscaper had documented Bernstein soliciting a hit on Susan, the mother of his child. Once he discovered the existence of this documentation, he attempted to destroy it.
“There are victims of domestic violence, and we’re fully aware of the gravity of these charges,” remarked Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh. “We want to ensure that innocent victims receive the protection they deserve.”
Bernstein’s troubling behavior isn’t fresh; it dates back over a decade. Allegations involved him conspiring with Kelly Griberg, the mother of a previous partner, to pay about $100,000 to a car salesman to stage an accident resulting in Susan’s death. However, the salesman alerted police about the murderous offer, which led to their arrest.
Previously, in 2017, Bernstein had pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy and was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison. Griberg has faced attacks while incarcerated for at least four years.
In a separate plot, Bernstein and his sister, Jaclyn Goldberg, endeavored to destroy an audio recording associated with their plans in mid-2022. Allegedly, they discussed regaining control over the landscaping for his business, which had sparked the conflicts, in exchange for the destruction of that audio.
Initially, Bernstein faced charges for criminal solicitation of evidence, while Goldberg was accused of evidence tampering and obstructing the investigation. It appears that he managed to slip behind bars a year and a half sooner in exchange for this guilty plea, with sentencing scheduled for December.
Goldberg is anticipated to plead guilty in September but could avoid prison time, according to reports. Meanwhile, Susan Bernstein hasn’t commented publicly but previously described her ex-husband as “evil.” The couple finalized their divorce in 2023.
Susan has been working as a divorce coach for several years, focusing on helping individuals navigate post-breakup challenges. Her website notes that she assists clients in achieving their goals and improving their lives, particularly when escaping toxic relationships.
