Former Rockland Podiatrist and His Sister Indicted For Soliciting A Murder, and Attempting To Cover Up The Evidence

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Ira Bernstein, 49 of Montebello, New York and Jaclyn Goldberg, 40 of Bedford, New York have been indicted by a Rockland County Grand Jury following an investigation conducted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department with the assistance of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.

From July 29, 2022 through September 21, 2022, Ira Bernstein is alleged to have solicited the murder of his wife Susan Bernstein and subsequently conspired to destroy evidence of the solicitation with his sister, Jaclyn Goldberg.

Ira Bernstein has been 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.

Jaclyn Goldberg has been charged with 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.
District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “As alleged, the defendant solicited to have his wife killed. I commend the Ramapo Police Department for their investigative work and detectives from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office who assisted with the case. We will now move forward with the prosecution phase of the case.”

Town of Ramapo Police Department Chief Martin Reilly said, “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. We are appreciative of the valuable assistance provided by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and their personnel.”

On June 1, 2023, Ira Bernstein and Jaclyn Goldberg were arraigned before the Honorable Robert Prisco on a sealed indictment charging the above crimes. Ira Bernstein faces a maximum sentence of three and half to seven years in prison on the top count. Executive Assistant District Attorney Kristin Tirino and Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Dugandzic are prosecuting the case.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.