For 50 years, one of the most prolific serial pedophiles of our time was hiding in plain sight under the guise of a trusted teacher and mentor in the Bay Shore Union Free School District. Thomas Bernagozzi escaped consequence by relying on the trust that his young and innocent students placed in him, and the shame and stigma that they would feel as they aged. Unfortunately, Bernagozzi was able to evade prosecution in several instances because his crimes were outside of the statute of limitations. While the Bay Shore School District was found civilly liable for failing to protect dozens of boys from these crimes, today represents the first time that Bernagozzi himself has been held accountable for his heinous actions.
Three brave men came forward to testify about the abuse that they endured at the hands of Bernagozzi during their formative years, and the impact that the abuse has had on them for their entire lives. I applaud these men for their courage and strength in coming forward to face their abuser after all these years to ensure that justice, though delayed, was not denied. I also want to thank my prosecutors, Dana Castaldo and MacDonald Drane, for their tireless dedication and tenacity in the courtroom, Senior Paralegal Julia Maida for her crucial assistance with the case, and Suffolk County Police Department Detective Patrick Boyles for his relentless investigation. I could not be more proud of the work that was done to bring justice in this case.