Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Accused "Tasting Game" Teacher Called Out as Molester in Jail, His Lawyer Blames the Sheriff's Department
Photo of Mark Berndt courtesy of L.A. Sheriff's Department
()
Mark Berndt, the ousted Miramonte Elementary School teacher accused of performing lewd acts on 23 children, pleaded not guilty today on all charges. Outside the court today, Berndt's court-appointed attorney, Victor Acevedo, told reporters his client is being harassed in jail, and the Sheriff's Department is to blame.Acevedo said he was told that a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department used the loudspeaker at the Twin Towers jail to announce Berndt's presence in the facility "to identify him as a child molester to other inmates," according to City News Service.
Consequently, claims Acevedo, Berndt has been threatened and harassed.
Berndt, 61, was arrested last month following a year-long investigation of allegations he involved his young students in something he called the "Tasting Game" in which he blindfolded the children and spoon-fed them samples of his own semen, among other lewd acts.
Acevedo clarifies that Berndt's exact location within the jail was not announced, however he maintains, if authorities did make such an announcement, doing so "essentially put a bull's eye on [Berndt's] head, so to speak."
Support for LAist comes from
A spokesman for the LASD said this was news to them, but upon hearing Acevedo's remarks, they launched an investigation of his allegations.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist