A former third-grade teacher on Long Island has been accused of sexually abusing more than 50 former students over several decades.
Thomas Bernagozzi, 76, of Babylon, pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing two former students on Wednesday in Suffolk County. At least 56 victims have come forward and accused the former teacher at Bay Shore Elementary School of abusing them when they were children,
ABC 7 reported.
Bernagozzi worked as a third-grade teacher at the Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School and Gardiner Manor Elementary School between 1970 and 2000. He continued to work for the Bay Shore School District until 2003.
During his tenure, he was “revered” by students and colleagues in the district, with some parents even requesting their children be placed in his class,
prosecutors said.
Prosecutors alleged in court Wednesday that district officials knew about the abuse and turned a blind eye.
While working for the district, Bernagozzi directed school plays and coached after-school sports. Outside work hours, he would take groups of children — mostly boys — to “local beaches, pools, gym, Broadway shows and sporting events,” prosecutors said.
nypost.com
