A Newton father is free on $10,000 cash bail this morning and forbidden to go near MBTA property after pleading not guilty to charges he sexually molested several teen-aged girls riding the T.
The alleged assaults occurred from November last year until September, when a brave teen girl fed up with the after-school groping snapped a photo of the suspect with her camera phone.
Jeffrey N. Berman, 60, a white-haired Wellesley High graduate and attorney, ignored reporters as he fled Boston Municipal Court this morning.
“He’s innocent, absolutely innocent,” barked Berman’s defense attorney Roger Witkin.
Sources said a jacket and dark sunglasses Berman was captured wearing by T surveillance video have been recovered from his home by police.
During his arraignment this morning, prosecutors cited three alleged incidents November 2006, spring 2007 and September 2007, but provided no details.
Police said that Berman groped multiple girls and on at least one occasion exposed himself and masturbated in front of horrified teen girls. One alleged victim snapped Berman’s photo after one assault, police said.
Police said Berman called police last week and admitted to groping at least one girl several times on a Green Line train after MBTA police released his photo to local media.
As for how many alleged victims there may be, Jake Wark, spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley said: “Transit police received information from multiple sources.”
He is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 2 for a status hearing.
Witkin said Berman works in real estate and attended Suffolk Law school.
Prosecutors said they are unaware of any criminal history with Berman.
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