Merrick Pediatrician Faces Billions in Sex Abuse Judgments, Hundreds of Allegations

Former Merrick pediatrician Stuart Copperman, 91, has failed to pay a single dollar of the $1.6 billion in court-ordered judgments to 104 women whom he allegedly sexually abused as children. This non-payment comes three years after the first financial award was issued by a Nassau court. The substantial sum represents one of the largest sexual-abuse judgments in U.S. history, and while the women and their attorneys acknowledged that Copperman could never fully pay the amount, they express deep frustration over his complete evasion of payment.

Jeanna Salgado, 58, who was awarded a $32 million judgment, voiced her dismay, stating, "He was a predator and got away with it for so many years, and to a certain extent, I feel he’s still getting away with it, because he never had to go to jail and he’s never had to pay up." The 104 lawsuits against Copperman were initiated under the 2019 Child Victims Act, a law designed to allow survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek financial damages from their alleged abusers years later. The complaints detail that Copperman’s abuse of patients began in the 1960s and continued until his medical license was revoked by the state in 2000.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs, including Philadelphia lawyer Kristen Gibbons Feden, noted that Copperman's refusal to pay aligns with "the normal persona of a predator, just not taking accountability, just not responding to the allegations." Michael Della, a Ronkonkoma lawyer working with Gibbons Feden, indicated that if Copperman continues to resist payment, a judge could freeze or seize assets like bank and investment accounts, as well as any non-primary residences, and could potentially jail him for contempt of court.

Debra Zuckerwise, 69, a Merrick native who was repeatedly assaulted by Copperman starting at age five and was awarded $25 million, criticized his refusal to defend himself in court or pay any part of the judgment. She described her life as "hell" due to the trauma, leading to heroin addiction and extensive time in psychiatric hospitals and drug rehabilitation facilities. "He messed up my life. He needs to pay for something," Zuckerwise asserted.

The monetary awards were determined after Copperman ignored requests to defend himself against the accusations, leading Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Leonard D. Steinman to rule him liable for sexual abuse in each case by default in January 2023. Subsequently, Justice Steinman and court special referees spent 19 months hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, carefully considering the alleged physical abuse and the profound, long-term psychological effects on the victims. In Salgado's case, psychotherapists submitted affidavits detailing her post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, panic disorders, and other enduring repercussions, with a special referee concluding she suffered "profound, permanent ... psychological scars."

Copperman has consistently declined to comment on the matter, telling a reporter he was "not interested" and previously stating he did not contest the civil suits due to "legal advice," without identifying his attorney. Gibbons Feden emphasized her commitment to holding Copperman accountable, despite the financial challenges of pursuing such a large case with limited prospects for a full payout. In 2023, Justice Steinman dismissed several health systems, facilities, another doctor, and a school district from the case, which significantly reduced the potential recovery for the women.

An ongoing investigation aims to determine the full extent of Copperman's assets. Property records reveal that Copperman and his wife, Renee Copperman, own three homes. Notably, in 2019, just days before the Child Victims Act was enacted, Stuart Copperman transferred his ownership stake in their Melville home, valued between $1 million and $1.3 million, to his wife. Salgado views this as an attempt to conceal assets, calling him "a snake." Stefan Turkheimer, vice president for public policy for RAINN, confirmed that it is common for individuals sued for sexual abuse to move assets into family members' names to avoid payment, which is deeply unfair to survivors facing significant financial and psychological costs.

Regarding the Melville property, lawyer Michael Della stated that while courts typically cannot force the sale of a primary residence, if the house is not Copperman’s primary residence and a court determines it was fraudulently conveyed to his wife to evade Child Victims Act claims, a judge could potentially order its sale. Della views the ownership transfer as a clear attempt to shield assets. Copperman is listed as the sole owner of a home in Delray Beach, Florida, estimated to be worth about half a million dollars, and in 2024, he and his wife jointly purchased a home in Boca Raton, Florida, for $239,500.

Despite the civil judgments, Copperman was never criminally prosecuted for the alleged abuses. Although Salgado and her mother reported Copperman to Nassau police in 1984, and Salgado and another girl filed complaints with the state Health Department in 1985, the Board for Professional Medical Conduct initially exonerated him in 1987. It was only after complaints mounted over the years that the board reviewed his conduct again and revoked his license in 2000. No criminal charges were filed, as the statute of limitations prevents his prosecution today.