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Podiatrist Accused In Alleged Murder For Hire Plot Released On Bail

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A well-known podiatrist and his girlfriend have been accused of offering a phony hitman $100,000 in an alleged murder-for-hire plot.

Dr. Ira Bernstein's parents and sister left the Rockland County courthouse moments after posting the defendant's $600,000 bail on Friday.

As CBS2's Lou Young reported, the podiatrist has been behind bars since Monday night, when he was arrested with his girlfriend for allegedly trying to have his wife murdered.

Bernstein's father, a local accountant, put up $450,000 in property which added to $150,000 in cash to secure his son's release.

The 42-year-old foot doctor stands indicted for allegedly plotting to hire a hitman to end a protracted divorce battle with the mother of his three children.

The grand jury said Bernstein and his girlfriend Kelly Gribeluk, 35, are on tape and video negotiating with an undercover informer they thought was a killer.

Before releasing Bernstein the judge cautioned him that being out of jail isn't the same thing as being free.

"Dr. Bernstein sir, it appears you are going to be released later today. That doesn't mean your case is over. Quite the contrary," Judge David Zuckerman said.

Bernstein hugged his parents as he was released from the Rockland County Jail.

The indictment said he sought to have the phony hitman rough up insurance investigators to shield his podiatry practice from a fraud investigation.

The lurid charges of muscle and murder for hire have shaken up the close knit family.

"These are dedicated people. They're religious people. They're fine people. The father, mother, sister, and brother are going through hell. Thank God he's out of jail now and we're, we firmly believe that he'll be exonerated," defense lawyer Kenneth Gribetz said.

While Bernstein is out on bail, his co-defendant remains behind bars unable to raise $600,000 of her own. She is also a mother of three.

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