A 57-year-old North Salem licensed clinical worker was arraigned on Wednesday and charged with a felony crime for sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy he was counseling, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore said.
Mark Bernardini, who has an office at his home and in Bronxville, was charged with first-degree criminal sexual act, a felony.
DiFiore said the man engaged in sexual contact with the 12-year-old boy he was counseling on July 2, 2013 at his office, located at 27 Milburn Street in Bronxville. The victim immediately cried out to his family after the session and they immediately contacted the Bronxville police.
Bernardini was arrested early Wednesday morning by the Bronxville police. Bail was set at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. His next court date is July 17.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Amy Puerto of the Special Prosecutions Division is prosecuting the Criminal Sexual Act case.
In addition, Bernardini has a pending misdemeanor forcible touching case, stemming from a May 16 incident when police said he touched a 16-year-old girl that he was counseling at his North Salem home.
His next court date in that case is July 15. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in county jail.
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