Podiatrist Accused Of Murder Solicitation, Sister Of Coverup Help: DA

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A podiatrist is accused — again — of soliciting the murder of his wife. He and his sister are also accused of conspiring to destroy evidence of his quest.

Ira Bernstein and his then-lover had pleaded guilty in 2017 to but he then sought to take back his plea in a scandalous murder conspiracy that was the subject of Dateline NBC episode "The Target." The request was denied. He was released from prison in 2021 after serving almost five years, The Journal News reported.

Bernstein, 49, of Montebello, and Jaclyn Goldberg, 40, of Bedford, have been indicted following an investigation, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced Friday.

Bernstein sought to hire someone to murder Susan Bernstein between July 29 and Sept. 21, 2022, the DA said. After that, he conspired to destroy evidence of the solicitation with Goldberg, prosecutors alleged.

The Rockland County Grand Jury indictment followed an investigation conducted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department with the assistance of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, Walsh said.

"I commend the Ramapo Police Department for their investigative work and the detectives from Rockland County District Attorney’s Office who assisted with the case," Walsh said. "We will now move forward with the prosecution phase of the case."

Bernstein was charged with one count of criminal solicitation in the second degree, one count of criminal solicitation in the fourth degree, one count of tampering with physical evidence, and one count of conspiracy in the fifth degree.

Goldberg faces one count of tampering with physical evidence, one count of
hindering the prosecution in the third degree, and one count of conspiracy in the fifth degree.

"The Ramapo Police Department is proud of the extensive efforts put forth by our Investigations Division and its detectives in securing an indictment against both defendants," said Ramapo Police Chief Martin Reilly. "We are appreciative of the valuable assistance provided by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and their personnel."

Bernstein and Goldberg were arraigned June 1 before the Honorable Robert Prisco
on a sealed indictment.

If convicted, Bernstein faces a maximum sentence of three and half to seven years in prison on the top count, prosecutors said.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Kristin Tirino and Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Dugandzic are prosecuting the case.

RELATED

• No Take-Back For Murderous Podiatrist: Judge
• Podiatrist Wants Take-Back On Guilty Plea

Editor's Note: Jaclyn Goldberg faces charges of tampering with physical evidence, hindering the prosecution and conspiracy. Only her brother is charged with criminal solicitation. Her alleged involvement was unclear in the headline and lede. Patch regrets the error.