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Episode 2 of The Worst-Kept Secret in Rocky River.

In June of 2024, the first victim's best friend sat down with BCI Special Agents Heather Karl and Stacy Pfeiffer at the Richfield Field Office. She had known the first victim since eighth grade. Twenty years later, she remembered every detail.

This episode is built from her recorded BCI statement, the first victim's own account, and the investigative file. What you hear is not commentary. It is documented.

Michael Bernhardt was the school resource officer at Rocky River High School and a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.03A7, his conduct with a student over whom he held authority constitutes sexual battery regardless of her age or consent. The statute is unambiguous.

A supervisor found out. He told Bernhardt to handle it and get out of it. Not report it. Not investigate it. Handle it. Bernhardt remained a Rocky River Police officer for approximately twenty more years.

When BCI investigators sat down with Bernhardt on camera in September 2024, after search warrants had already been executed, he stated the relationship did not begin until after the first victim returned from the Army. Multiple independent witnesses, including her best friend, say she was no older than 16 when it started. She joined the Army at 17 to get away from him.

Episode 3 covers what Rocky River PD knew, when they knew it, and what Chief George Lichtman said when asked directly.

This is The Infamous Ex-Chief. Scott Gardner, former patrol officer, homicide detective, and chief of police.

www.theinfamousexchief.com
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