Former US teacher accused of sexually abusing more than 50 students over decades

Thomas Bernagozzi taught third grade from 1970 to 2000. (Representative picture)

A former US teacher has been accused of sexually abusing more than 50 students over decades.according to a report ABC7At least 56 victims have filed lawsuits against Thomas Bernagozzi, 76, calling the former third-grade teacher a serial child abuser. The media further stated in the report that the ages of the victims ranged from 4 to 8 years old. Prosecutors claimed in court Wednesday that the Bay Shore School District knew about the incident but turned a blind eye.

Benagozzi has pleaded not guilty to the sexual abuse charges. He retired from teaching in 2003.

Since his arrest last month, 11 new victims have come forward – not counting the 45 individual lawsuits that have been filed under the New York State Child Victims Act.

The alleged sexual assaults occurred at Gardner Manor Elementary School and Mary Clarkson Elementary School, where Bernagozzi taught third grade from 1970 to 2000.

During his tenure, he was “respected” by students and colleagues in the district, with some parents even asking to place their children in his class, prosecutors said.

One of the victims was Robert Hubbard, a student of Benagozzi’s class of 1976.

Mr. Hubbard Tell ABC7 Benagozzi would fondle him in classrooms and baseball games and demand that he be jailed.

After school, Bernagozzi coaches students at local private gyms and at the beach. Prosecutors said photos of hundreds of students were found at his home.

Bernagozzi was arrested and held on $600,000 bail. He is due to appear in court in March and faces up to 25 years in prison on each count if convicted.