Another day, another accused child molester. Sigh. The only difference is that today's alleged underage fanny grabber is none other than former Fox 11 reporter Rod Bernsen. Yeah, we've never heard of him either. But that's only because we're not allowed to watch Fox in Brooklyn.
The reporter has been charged with "abusive sexual conduct" and is to appear in court date on November 13. These charges claim that Bernsen molested two boys while aboard a cruise last week. He was arrested Saturday after departing the ship in Long Beach.
According to the criminal filing seen by LA Observed, two twelve-year-old cousins told the FBI that Bernsen made suggestive comments, used his foot to touch the genitals of one of the boys and spanked the other one once on his naked butt. The alleged assault occurred in the Lotus Spa on board the Diamond Princess.
The LA Times also has a summary of the alleged events. As an aside, Radar has a whole shpeal connecting Bernsen to Jew-basher Mel Gibson, spewing their loathe for those who befriend alleged child molesters. Apparently somebody forgot who Ron Burkle's BFF is.
United States v. Rod Bernsen [LA Observed]
Editorial Director
Sorry, innocent until proven guilty folks.
I happened to know Rod Bernsen as former LAPD Cop.
It is just so easy to point our fingers and say ‘he did it.’ But it takes courage to stand by the accused.
My Synopsis
Normally I would not publicly make public comments as I am about to. While the allegations are no doubt morally depraved, I will still give Sgt Rod Bernsen much benefit of the doubt. After all, this is still America and we are “innocent until proven guilty.”
I have seen way too many sexual cases fall apart, once the alleged victims are proven to be liars.
1. I worked with Sgt Rod Bernsen at LAPD 77th Div. Never did I hear or see anything even questionable in his character, conduct or integrity. I worked with him. I changed in the same locker room as he did. I was on multiple crime scenes with Him. I shared coffee and breakfast with him, and others. I always had an utmost respect for his values and integrity. And too be honest, there were ‘other’ officers that displayed questionable sexual conduct. But NEVER Sgt Bernsen.
2. These two ‘alleged’ victim teens just happened to ‘know one another,’ and are ‘related’. Had the two been separate and independent victims, who did not even know about the other’s allegations, and then I would be very concerned for Sgt Bernsen. However they had plenty of time to discuss the allegations. Not to mention their past.
3. According to the paper, Sgt Rod Bernsen was in a sauna where only adults were allowed. Therefore even if (IF) he was naked, there is nothing wrong with that. It was the boys that violated the Ships policies and entered this room. Their mother and father should have spanked them (and I don’t believe Sgt Bernsen did.) But Sgt Bernsen is a kind man, and he is not the critical, cynical ‘trust no one’ guy like as myself. So he may not have run from the sauna (again according to the paper.)
4. If (IF) Sgt Bernsen had engaged in this type of activity, he would not have taken this risk with his wife and sister aboard the ship (the sister, I happened to know as well.) He was in a ‘captive crime scene’ leaving a ‘paper and electronic trail.’ Behind. It’s just not believable.
5. This criminal defense case will very much rely on the Utah Investigator. Therefore it will be an ‘investigator driven’ case. And no doubt, the Utah PI also be falsely accused of misconduct, just for defending him.[1] Then the attorney needs to be a cutting edge ‘trial attorney.’ Sad thing is, Sgt Bernsen may for financial and stress related reasons, be forced to succumb to a plea barging (even if innocent.) It happens all too often.
6. And lastly, this could happen to me, “Oh by the grace of God, so go I.” Sgt Bernsen if you’re reading this, please look upward and stay strong.
[1] http://www.mercurynews.com/mld.....686722.htm
Beautifully written xcop! I agree with you about how someone can find themselves on the receiving end of false allegations and is forced to wade against the tide of public opinion that is basically shaped in the media. I support Rod Bernsen too, and I only knew him from his broadcasts on Good Day LA.
I am sorry to hear that Mr. Bernsen was arrested, as I have seen him on both CNN and the FOX news channel. However, it is interesting how the majority of people are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that the minors have manufactured this story for other reasons and motives and the response if "innocent until proven guilty." One the other hand, the public is not as forgiving with someone like Michael Jackson, when similar accusations were made against him. Maybe that is because he is not as easy to love or like but the situation and scenario is the same. The word of needy children against and adult and in both cases the question should be asked , why did the children continue to go back to the violator if they were so tramatized, offended, and sexually abused? I guess in the case of Michael Jackson, it's easier to see the negative because he is not as popular, understandable, and easy to root for. However, never forget that he has more money than Bernsen and public awareness of celebrity is a factor. I also wonder how Mr. Bernsen feels about the possiblity that he may be facing false accusations from children and he may have been guilty of pre-judging Michael Jackson of being guilty when they were both victims of false accusations of children. Interesting, when the media figure becomes the story.
Dear Holly:
Michael Jackson is currently frolicking around Ireland with his three young children, making an album and enjoying the largess of his fortune. If anyone has benefited from the "innocent until proven guilty" factor, it's him!