Police Seek Victims of Encino Businessman Accused of Serial Rape

A 62-year-old businessman from Sherman Oaks is under investigation, accused of sexually assaulting three women, and Los Angeles police asked for the public’s help today to find any other victims.

Michael Leslie Bernback, the owner of an Encino golf course, appeared on the reality television show “Millionaire Matchmaker” in 2011. He was arrested by detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Van Nuys Station at his home in the 4200 block of Sunnyslope Avenue on Aug. 13, according to police. He posted $300,000 bail and was released from custody the same day, according to L.A. County jail records.

Bernback was re-arrested Sept. 3 and this time posted $2.1 million in bail and was again released from custody the same day, according to jail records.

On Sept. 3, Bernback was charged with eight felonies: forcible rape, rape by use of drugs, rape of an unconscious person, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by a foreign object, attempted sodomy by use of force, and two counts of administering a drug to commit rape, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Bernback is also charged with three misdemeanor counts alleging that he possessed MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB and cocaine.

The criminal complaint alleges that Bernback administered a controlled substance to one of the women and tied and bound another woman during an alleged attack. The prosecution alleges that the crimes occurred March 23, 2014, Sept. 27, 2014 and this Aug. 11.

Anyone with information about other alleged sexual assault victims linked with Bernback was asked to call LAPD Detective Mendoza at (818) 374-1924 or (818) 374-0040. Tipsters can also call LAPD’s 24-hour tipline at (877) LAPD- 24-7.

City News Service