A retired New York teacher has been accused of sexually abusing 56 children over several decades.
Thomas Bernagozzi, 76, was arrested on Dec. 21 and charged with two counts of sodomy and child sexual conduct involving two students. Bernagozzi, from the Long Island town of Babylon, could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted on both charges, news outlets announced. news day.
According to the criminal complaint, one of the victims was abused from 1997 to 2000 and the other from 1989 to 1991.
On Wednesday, Bernagozzi pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually abusing two former students in Suffolk County.
However, 45 civil lawsuits have been filed against Bernagozzi and the school district under the New York State Child Victims Act.
The New York State Child Victims Act, passed in 2019, allows alleged victims of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits until they are 55 years old.
Since Bernagozzi’s arrest, 11 more victims have come forward with child sexual abuse allegations. The alleged victims range in age from 4 to 8 years old.
New York state’s statute of limitations only allows for criminal prosecution in recent cases involving two alleged victims.
On Wednesday, prosecutors said in court that the Bayshore School District knew about the child sexual abuse accusations and “turned a blind eye.” KABC TV.
Stephen Maloney – Bayshore School District Superintendent – Said “Due to pending and ongoing litigation, the Bayshore School District is unable to comment on this matter. The district remains committed to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of all students.”
The 56 alleged victims were children attending the school where Bernagozzi taught.
Mr. Bernagozzi was employed as a third grade teacher at Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School and Gardiner Manor Elementary School from 1970 to 2000. He retired in 2003 after working for the Bayshore School District.
of new york post According to the report, “While working for the school district, Bernagozzi directed school plays and coached after-school sports.” Outside of work hours, Bernagozzi led groups of children (mostly boys) to “local beaches, pools, and gyms.” , Broadway shows and sporting events,” prosecutors said. ”
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Said Bernagozzi was “respected by both his fellow teachers and staff, as well as by parents in school districts that specifically required their children to be in Bernagozzi’s classes.”
Prosecutors noted that his class “allegedly consisted of mostly male children.”
Robert Hubbard, one of the victims who filed a civil lawsuit against Bernagozzi, said he was a student in 1976 and was fondled by his teacher in class and at baseball games.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said, “The magnitude of the acts this defendant is alleged to have committed is staggering.” “This defendant allegedly betrayed the trust of students, their families, and the community. We urge anyone who has been abused, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred, to come forward to law enforcement. “We will thoroughly investigate and hold those accountable for their actions.” ”
At Bernagozzi’s arraignment, the Suffolk County Attorney’s Office requested that the former teacher be released on $1 million cash bail. However, Judge Edward J. Hennessy ordered him released on supervised release with GPS conditions.
After 11 more alleged victims came forward this week, Judge Karen Wiltis set Bernagozzi’s bail at $300,000 cash and $600,000 bail.
Anyone with information about Bernagozzi is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Department Special Victims Unit at 631-275-2302.
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Please register here!
Retired teacher accused of decades of sexual abuse of studentswww.youtube.com
