Former Rockland podiatrist admits to trying to arrange his wife's murder for the second time
After years of negotiations between prosecutors and Ira Bernstein's attorneys, Bernstein owned up to trying to hire someone to kill his wife for a second time.
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The former Rockland podiatrist who served four years in prison for trying to arrange the murder of his wife was back in court Monday admitting he tried to have her killed again.
After years of negotiations between prosecutors and Ira Bernstein's attorneys, Bernstein owned up to trying to hire someone to kill his wife for a second time.
He confirmed that in 2022 he and his sister, Jaclyn Goldberg, tried to convince an acquaintance to destroy a recording in which Bernstein discussed a plan to kill his wife, Susan Bernstein.
"Do you also admit that the audio recording was in regards to a solicitation to have Susan Bernstein killed?" Rockland County Executive Assistant Attorney Kristin Tirino asked.
Bernstein responded after a short pause.
"Yes," he said quietly.
Bernstein pleaded guilty in 2017 to conspiracy in a case that he and his girlfriend, Kelly Gribeluk, plotted to have a local car salesman run over Susan with his car and make it appear accidental.
Bernstein served four years in prison.
Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh says he was pleased with Monday's outcome: Bernstein pleaded guilty to evidence tampering. He will go to prison for 1 1/2 to three years.
The judge also issued another protective order that Bernstein stay away from his children.
"This is the kind of conduct where we have victims, victims of domestic violence, that we will prosecute fully," Walsh said. "We in Rockland County want to stand for protection of innocent victims in all walks of life."
Jaclyn Goldberg is accused of trying to broker a deal through a series of text messages to destroy the 2022 recording.
Walsh said Goldberg has reached an agreement by which her case would be postponed, and eventually dropped, if she avoids trouble with the law.
Bernstein and his attorney declined further comment after the hearing.
Bernstein is due back in Rockland County Court on Dec. 5 to be sentenced, and then begin his prison term.
Both parties were also informed Susan Bernstein will to be at the sentencing to tell the court how Ira Bernstein's actions have affected her.
