Trial underway for former Bay Shore teacher accused of sexually abusing students
A jury heard opening statements in the trial of Thomas Bernagozzi, the former Bay Shore teacher accused of sexually abusing students.
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The trial for a former Bay Shore teacher accused of sexually abusing students got underway on Tuesday.
Thomas Bernagozzi is criminally charged in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of two children.
Prosecutors said the abuse started when the victims were 4 and 8 years of age. He is also accused of possessing inappropriate negatives of a third child at his home.
Prosecutor MacDonald Drane told jurors that Bernagozzi saw an opportunity to take advantage of young boys for his own sexual gratification.
Drane said Bernagozzi was “the cool teacher” and the teacher all the kids wanted.
Bernagozzi allegedly took the boys to the beach, a local pool, sports games and "showered them with gifts."
Drane said the defendant was “revered” and took advantage of that status to build a relationship with the two purported victims and their parents.
Drane described the defendant’s alleged “ruse” of tricking the victims into thinking that was happening was normal. He said there are no “innocent explanations” for his actions.
Defense attorney Steven Politi said his client vehemently denies the charges “with every fiber of his being.”
Politi told jurors that Bernagozzi “was targeted by these men for the singular purpose of making money,” a reference toward legal action against the Bay Shore School District.
Prosecutors have said in the past that there are "scores" of children who were victims of Bernagozzi, but said he was not charged in connection with them because the alleged abuse did not fall within the statute of limitations.
