ROCKVILLE CENTRE (NY)
Patch [New York City NY]
December 22, 2023
By Lanning Taliaferro
District Attorney Raymond Tierney offered more details about the Babylon man who taught in Bay Shore schools for years.
Forty-five lawsuits were filed by alleged victims against the Bay Shore school district and retired elementary school teacher Thomas Bernagozzi under the New York State Child Victims Act, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said Thursday.
Bernagozzi, who taught elementary school in Bay Shore for years, was not only a beloved teacher but also is alleged to have run school plays and after-school sports, and would, on his own time, take groups of children to the local beaches, pools, gym, Broadway shows and sporting events, the DA’s office said.
The 76-year-old was arrested Thursday. He faces one count of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and one count of first-degree sodomy, both Class B violent felonies.
He is being represented by Eric Besso, Esq. and Samuel Demeglio, Esq. Patch reached out to each for comment.
“The sheer magnitude of what this defendant is alleged to have committed is astounding,” Tierney said in a statement. “This defendant allegedly betrayed the trust of his students, their families, and the community. I urge anyone who has been abused to come forward to law enforcement no matter how long ago that abuse occurred. We will investigate thoroughly and seek to hold those responsible accountable for their conduct.”
According to the investigation, Bernagozzi worked as a third-grade teacher at the Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School and Gardiner Manor Elementary School between 1970 and 2000, but was employed by the Bay Shore Union Free School District until 2003.
During his tenure, the DA’s office alleged, Bernagozzi was revered by both fellow teachers and staff, as well as parents residing in the district who would specifically request that their children be placed in Bernagozzi’s class. His classes were allegedly comprised predominantly of male children, the DA’s office said.
Prosecutors also allege that Bernagozzi ran the school’s plays, after-school sports, and would, on his own time, take groups of children to the local beaches, pools, gym, Broadway shows and sporting events, the DA’s office said.
The New York State Child Victims Act, signed into law in 2019, allows any victim who was abused while under the age of 18 to file a civil action up until that person turns 55 years of age, the DA’s office said.
With the passage of this law, a “look-back” window was created, allowing victims who would not benefit from the new law going forward to file their civil claims from years past. The “look-back” window commenced on Aug. 14, 2019, and was extended on Aug. 14, 2020, ultimately closing on Aug. 13, 2021. As a result, 45 individual lawsuits were filed on behalf of victims against the Bay Shore Union Free School District, as well as Bernagozzi, for conduct alleged to have been perpetuated by him, the DA’s office said.
Due to the changes in New York’s statute of limitations, this case involving two victims was able to go forward, the DA’s office said.
Prosecutors alleged that one of the victims was abused by Bernagozzi between 1997 and 2000, and the other was abused by Bernagozzi between 1989 and 1991.
School Superintendent Steven J. Maloney made a statement to the community:
Dear Bay Shore-Brightwaters Community,
On December 21, 2023, we were informed by the Suffolk County Police Department that a former employee of the Bay Shore School District was arrested today. This former employee has not been affiliated with the District since 2000. At this time we have no further information regarding the matter.
In accordance with District practice, we fully cooperate with the Suffolk County Police Department on law enforcement matters. We remain committed to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of our students.
At Bernagozzi’s arraignment, the District Attorney’s Office requested that he be held on $1 million cash, $2.5 million bond, or $10 million partially secured bond. However, the Honorable Edward J. Hennessey ordered him placed on supervised release with GPS conditions, the DA’s office said.
He is due back in court Tuesday, the DA’s office said.
Police asked anyone with any additional information regarding Bernagozzi to contact Detective Patrick Boyles of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section at (631) 275-2302.