34°
Dozens of former students have accused a retired elementary school teacher on Long Island of sexual abuse dating back decades.
Thomas Bernagozzi, age 75, of Babylon, was arrested on sex crimes charges Thursday, Dec. 21, following an investigation by Suffolk County Police.
Prosecutors said Bernagozzi, who taught in the Bay Shore School District, sexually abused two male students between the late 1980s and early 2000s.
He was charged with one count of course of sexual conduct against a child and one count of sodomy, both violent felonies.
At the time of the alleged abuse, the boys were third-grade students at Gardiner Manor Elementary School and Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School.
Bernagozzi taught at the schools between 1970 and 2000 but was employed by the Bay Shore Union Free School District until his retirement in 2003.
While Thursday’s arrest stemmed from criminal charges, the district attorney’s office said at least 45 individual civil lawsuits have been filed on behalf of victims against Bernagozzi and the school district for alleged misconduct over the years.
The civil suits were filed under the New York State Child Victims Act, which allows victims who were abused as children to file a civil action up until they’re 55 years old.
A temporary “look-back” window was created between August 2019 and August 2021, allowing victims who would not benefit from the new law to file their civil claims from years past.
It was during that “look-back” window that the civil lawsuits against Bernagozzi and the school district were filed, prosecutors said.
According to prosecutors, Bernagozzi – whose classes consisted mostly of boys – was “revered” by teachers, parents, and staff during his tenure.
He regularly ran school plays and after-school sports programs and would often take groups of children to local beaches, pools, gyms, and Broadway shows.
“The sheer magnitude of what this defendant is alleged to have committed is astounding,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney. “This defendant allegedly betrayed the trust of his students, their families, and the community.”
In court Thursday, Tierney’s office requested that Bernagozzi be held on $1 million bail, however Suffolk County Judge Edward Hennessey ordered him released under supervision with a GPS monitor.
He is scheduled to appear back in court on Tuesday, Dec. 26.
Investigators urged anyone with information in the case to contact the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section at 631-275-2302.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Massapequa and receive free news updates.
