New York Therapist Faces Sex Charges



Mark Bernardini
(White Plains, New York) A clinical social worker/therapist, Mark Bernardini, has been indicted for the alleged sexual abuse of two patients.

The indictment charges Bernardini with multiple counts including criminal sexual acts and forcible touching. Bernardini pleaded not guilty at his arraignment yesterday.

According to court documents, Bernardini said:

… he may have exercised “bad judgment” by letting a 12-year-old boy masturbate during a session in his Bronxville office.

However, Bernardini defended his behavior by stating that the masturbation was appropriate and normal since, as a youngster, he remembers participating in circle jerks with his teenage buddies.

Bernardini, 57, also said he may have accidentally touched the other victim, a 19-year-old woman, but only after her breast fell out of her blouse ….

Bernardini is in custody with bond set at $150,000.