NY podiatrist pleads guilty in connection with second attempt to have wife murdered: DA

An unhinged Rockland County podiatrist is facing down another prison stint after he a second failed attempt to kill his estranged wife — who is now a certified divorce coach, prosecutors announced Monday.

Ira Bernstein, of Montebello, pleaded guilty to tampering with physical evidence in connection with the 2022 murder plot against Susan Bernstein after he languished in a jail cell for four years, the Rockland County District Attorney’s office said.

The 51-year-old was recorded asking a landscaper to kill the mother of his children in the most recent conspiracy, according to the district attorney. 

He then tried to get the file destroyed after realizing it existed, prosecutors said.

“This is the kind of conduct where we have victims, victims of domestic violence, that we will prosecute fully,” Rockland DA Thomas Walsh said, according to News 12. “We in Rockland County want to stand for protection of innocent victims in all walks of life.”

The foot doctor, 51, has been trying to find someone to murder his now ex-wife dating back at least a decade, prosecutors said.

Bernstein conspired with his then-lover, mother of three Kelly Gribeluk, to offer a car salesman about $100,000 to fatally mow down Susan Bernstein in what would look like an accident, Lohud.com reported.

But the salesman instead alerted Ramapo police about the offer, leading to the pair’s arrests.

Bernstein pleaded guilty in 2017 to second-degree conspiracy and other counts, and was sentenced to a prison term between five and 15 years. Gribeluk was hit with at least four years in jail.

He was cut loose on merit on July 1, 2021 and again looked into having his other-half killed, according to prosecutors.

During the second plot, the doctor and his sister, attorney Jaclyn Goldberg, attempted to destroy an audio recording in August or September 2022 that had him on tape asking a landscaper to murder Susan, according to prosecutors.

The siblings would agree to give the landscaper back control of his business that was at the center of a dispute if he handed over the audio, prosecutors said, according to Lohud.com.

Bernstein was originally indicted on criminal solicitation and tampering with evidence while his sibling, Goldberg was charged with tampering with evidence, hindering prosecutors and conspiracy in the fifth degree.

He could spend between a year-and a-half and three years behind bars in exchange for the guilty plea. His sentencing is scheduled for December. 

Goldberg is expected to plead guilty in September, but will likely avoid jail time, Lohud.com reported.

Susan Bernstein could not be reached for comment, but called her husband “evil” at his first sentencing.

Court records indicate the two divorced in 2023.

Susan has been a divorce coach for at least several years, promising to help clients thrive following nasty break-ups.

“She helps clients achieve their goals and get to where they want to be,” according to her website.

“Susan helps many clients who want to get out of toxic relationships get what they need and deserve related to their children and finances.”