Retired elementary school teacher at Bay Shore School accused of sexually abusing third victim

A retired Bay Shore elementary school teacher who was accused of sexually abusing two students has now been charged with abusing a third student.

Thomas Bernagozzi was charged with five counts of sexual abuse of a child and pleaded not guilty this morning.

A judge could not set bail for the new charges because Bernagozzi is not eligible for bail. However, prosecutors asked the judge to reconsider bail for the original charge, which was set at $1 million cash and $2.5 million bond.

A judge had previously placed the 75-year-old on probation and equipped him with a GPS monitor.

Prosecutors said the defendant repeatedly sexually abused “dozens” of children.

Bernagozzi was charged in connection with two alleged victims whose crimes were already statute-barred. One victim says the abuse lasted from 1997 to 2000, the other says it took place between 1989 and 1991.

At least 45 other former students have filed civil lawsuits against the Bay Shore Union Free School District and Bernagozzi.