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Lawyer: Bronxville Social Worker Maintains Innocence

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – Mark Bernardini, the North Salem counselor who has his office in Bronxville, is maintaining his innocence in a pair of incidents with young patients who claim he touched them illegally, his lawyer said.

North Salem resident Mark Bernardini is facing a felony and misdemeanor charge.

North Salem resident Mark Bernardini is facing a felony and misdemeanor charge.

Photo Credit: Westchester County District Attorney's Office

Bernardini, 57, is presently embroiled in two separate criminal complaints.

He has a pending forcible-touching case against him in North Salem, where he is accused of fondling a 19-year-old female resident.

“He continues to profess his innocence,” said lawyer Howard Pearle, who is one representative for Bernardini in the North Salem case.

On Monday, that case was continued until July 29 when no legal aid was present to defend the licensed social worker in the misdemeanor case. It is unclear whether Pearle will continue to represent the social worker and why legal aid was needed.

Earlier this month Bernardini was also charged with a felony count of first-degree criminal sexual assault by Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. According to the complaint, the 12-year-old boy he was counseling was illegally touched during his July 2 session in Bronxville. Bernardini was picked up the next morning by Bronxville police and charged with the felony.

Bernardini is due back in court Wednesday on the misdemeanor charge. He remains in jail on $75,000 bail or $150,000 bond.

Assistant District Attorney Joyce Miller of the Sex Crimes Bureau will prosecute the former case, while Assistant Attorney Amy Puerto of the Special Prosecutions Division is prosecuting the criminal sexual act case.

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