Ira Bernstein, a former podiatrist from Montebello in Rockland County, New York, became the subject of national attention after authorities accused him of orchestrating two separate plots to have his wife killed. Once a successful medical professional in the Hudson Valley, Bernstein’s life and career changed dramatically after criminal investigations revealed allegations that he attempted to arrange his wife’s death through intermediaries.
Bernstein’s story is one that has unfolded across nearly a decade of investigations, criminal prosecutions, prison sentences, and court hearings. The case first surfaced in 2016 when police uncovered a murder-for-hire scheme involving Bernstein and his then-girlfriend. Years later, after he had already served time in prison and been released, prosecutors alleged that Bernstein again attempted to arrange the killing of his former wife. The case eventually resulted in a second prison sentence in 2026.
- “Take Two”: Dateline Reports on Ira Bernstein Case March 13 2026
- Who Is Kelly Gribeluk & Where Is She Now? 2026 Update & Profile
- Who Is Susan Bernstein & Where She Now? 2026 Update & Profile
- Who Is Jaclyn Goldberg & Where She Now? 2026 Update & Profile
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A Medical Career in Rockland County
Before the criminal case made headlines, Ira Bernstein was known in Rockland County as a practicing podiatrist. Podiatrists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the foot and ankle, and Bernstein operated a medical practice that served patients in the region. His professional status and financial success gave him a reputation as a well-established medical professional within the community.
Bernstein was also known as a family man. He and his wife, Susan Bernstein, had children together and built a life in the suburban communities of Rockland County. Over time, however, the marriage deteriorated and became the subject of legal disputes and personal conflict. That breakdown in the relationship would later form the backdrop of the criminal allegations that ultimately ended Bernstein’s medical career.
The First Murder-for-Hire Plot
The first criminal investigation began in 2016 when authorities learned of a plan to kill Susan Bernstein. According to prosecutors, Bernstein and his then-girlfriend, Kelly Gribeluk, approached a luxury car salesman and offered him approximately $100,000 to kill Susan Bernstein. The proposed plan involved staging the death to look like an accident, with the victim being struck by a vehicle.
The car salesman contacted police instead of participating in the plan. His cooperation allowed investigators with the Ramapo Police Department to open a criminal investigation that included recorded conversations and surveillance. Those recordings captured discussions about the plot, and the evidence became central to the prosecution’s case against Bernstein and Gribeluk.
Conviction and Prison Sentence in 2017
The case concluded in 2017 when Bernstein pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges. A judge sentenced him to five to fifteen years in state prison. As part of the court’s ruling, a ten-year order of protection was issued in favor of Susan Bernstein, reflecting the court’s concern about her safety.
Kelly Gribeluk also pleaded guilty for her role in the conspiracy and received a sentence of four to twelve years in prison. The case received significant media coverage in the New York region because of the unusual circumstances of a physician plotting a contract killing and because the target of the plot was his own wife.
Bernstein served several years in state prison before being released in July 2021. At the time of his release, the case appeared to be over, and the criminal justice system had already imposed substantial penalties.
Allegations of a Second Plot
The case resurfaced after Bernstein’s release when authorities said they uncovered another alleged attempt to arrange Susan Bernstein’s murder. According to prosecutors, between August and September 2022 Bernstein had a conversation with a landscaper in which the killing of his former wife was discussed.
As in the earlier case, the person approached did not participate in the plan. Instead, the landscaper contacted authorities and cooperated with investigators. Hidden recordings captured the conversation, and the evidence again became central to the prosecution.
In 2023 a Rockland County grand jury indicted Bernstein on several charges related to the alleged second plot, including criminal solicitation, conspiracy, and tampering with physical evidence. The prosecution focused particularly on Bernstein’s alleged attempt to obtain or destroy the audio recording of the conversation in order to prevent it from being used in court.
Guilty Plea and Second Prison Sentence
In August 2025 Bernstein pleaded guilty to a felony charge of tampering with physical evidence. The plea resolved the most serious legal questions surrounding the second investigation and avoided a trial on the broader allegations of a murder-for-hire plot.
The guilty plea acknowledged that Bernstein attempted to conceal or destroy evidence related to the recorded conversation. In exchange for the plea, the court agreed to a sentence of between one and three years in state prison.
In March 2026, Rockland County Court Judge Robert Prisco imposed that sentence, ordering Bernstein to serve one and a half to three years behind bars. The sentence marked Bernstein’s second prison term connected to threats against his former wife.
Personal and Legal Consequences
The legal consequences of the case were severe and long-lasting. Bernstein’s criminal convictions ended his medical career and placed him in the state prison system twice within a decade. The case also led to continued legal conflict between Bernstein and his former wife, including civil litigation connected to the alleged second plot.
During court proceedings, Susan Bernstein described the trauma that the case had caused her and their children. She told the court that she believed the threat against her remained real and argued that Bernstein had not changed after his first prison sentence.
The case also involved other family members. Bernstein’s sister, attorney Jaclyn Goldberg, was initially charged in connection with the handling of the audio recording tied to the second investigation. Prosecutors later indicated that her case was expected to end with an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, which would allow the charge to be dismissed if no further legal trouble occurred.
Where Ira Bernstein Is Now
As of March 2026, Ira Bernstein is serving a sentence of one and a half to three years in a New York state prison following his conviction for tampering with physical evidence. The sentence stems from the investigation into the alleged second plot against his former wife.
His incarceration marks the latest development in a legal saga that has stretched across nearly ten years. Bernstein previously served several years in prison following his 2017 conviction for conspiracy in the original murder-for-hire case.
The case continues to attract national attention, including coverage by Dateline NBC in the episode Take Two. The program revisits both the original plot and the later investigation that resulted in Bernstein’s second prison sentence, highlighting how the case evolved over time and the lasting impact it has had on the people involved.