NY - Bernie Fine Accused of Molestation, Syracuse, 2011

[Filly]

O.K. here we go. Bobby Davis youngest of eight kids in blended family. Only met his biological father once before his mom married Mr. Lang. I thought I had read there were twelve kids?

Davis first went to the Wilson Street house selling candy for school. The house was well known by neighborhood kids. Davis held a high rank in that house babysitting the Fine's kids, going on vacations with them and staying over often.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_...-life-ex-syracuse-assistant-coach-bernie-fine

Photo of the house included.

 

[katydid23]

So he went from 'selling candy there' to essentially moving in with them. Hmmmm...that is quite an escalation.

 

[Reader]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/01/us-syracuse-coach-idUSTRE7B02MA20111201

Syracuse University's chancellor said on Thursday the school would have fired ex-coach Bernie Fine eight years earlier had it known of an audio tape that suggests he sexually molested young boys, which was being held by the local newspaper.

In an opinion piece published in USA Today on Thursday, chancellor Nancy Cantor noted Fine, who is accused by three men of sexually abusing them when they were juveniles, was fired on Sunday, just hours after sports network ESPN aired the tape.........."Those who held onto the tape for nearly 10 years owe everyone an explanation."
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The paper's executive editor Michael Connor wrote that Davis was the sole accuser at the time and his reporters, despite six months of digging, were unable to corroborate Davis's claims. It wasn't until last month that two additional accusers came forward.

"After many months and much digging, we decided we did not have enough to publish a story at that time," he said.

More at link....

 

[Steely Dan]

A couple of interesting pages on Tomaselli from the university student newspaper in Manhattan KS:

Prospective K-State student comes forward in Syracuse abuse scandal (Kansas State Collegian)

I still don't believe Tomaselli. I think he's using this so he can use it in his defense on molestation charges of his own. I think he's dragging his dad into this because he says he's lying. It seems he never mentioned his dad's abuse until his dad said he was lying. JMO

 

[wfgodot]

Jason Whitlock's hour-long podcast with third accuser Tomaselli. Haven't listened to this yet. Whitlock's been the voice of fair play for the accused until all the facts are known, but also has excoriated ESPN for holding on to the Laurie Fine interview for years without notifying LE or Syracuse, thus possibly allowing for other children to be sexually exploited as a result.

http://www.foxsportsradio.com/pages/jasonwhitlock/index.html?uri=channels/449784

 

[ynotdivein]

Whitlock: Would you explain to people how I got your phone number?

ZT: After my Union-Leader interview, you asked them for my phone # they called me and I agreed to let you interview me.

Whit: That alleves my concern that it's actually you because this is the first time we've actually talked, correct?

ZT: That's correct.

JW: .... your story matches mine. Asks Q about picture of kid in KS jersey on ZT's FB page, "is that you"

(Whit checks out with ZT that posts on his FB page are authentic)

JW: Why have you handled this in such a public manner?

ZT: I really want the truth to get out there. I don't want to hide behind anybody, the police, anyone at all, want this story to be told so that ppl can know that I'm telling the truth... more i tell my story, more people can obviously compare notes and say it checks out every time

JW: You listed very specific things which should be easy for police to check out, you talked about taking a bus with SU personnel not the bball team but SU personnel from Syr to Pitts surely there will be other adults who will remember you being on that bus

ZT: I certainly hope so... there was a person on the bus who seemed to be in charge of me, they knew my parents phone #, they were college age, they didn't pay much attn to me, but they sat next to me on bus...

They are now getting into ZT's relationship with his dad...

(more at link)

http://www.foxsportsradio.com/pages/jasonwhitlock/index.html?uri=channels/449784

------

(ETA: JW asks questions about ZT's current Maine charges starting about 11m 30s. Very interesting.)

(Further ETA: Starting around 17m, ZT goes into how he got in contact with initial accuser Davis. Again, very interesting. This whole broadcast is well worth a listen. Would like to know how my fellow sleuthers react to this interview.)

(And again ETA: Starting at 39m., information about ZT family background and his current case.)

 

[ynotdivein]

From ESPN: Syracuse Orange coach Jim Boeheim issues unabashed apology

"SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim was angry and defensive when the allegations of sexual molestation were levied against his longtime associate head coach Bernie Fine.

Boeheim lashed out at the accusers. He called them liars and said they were seeking money.

But Boeheim has gone through a metamorphosis of emotions over the past two weeks and accepted Fine's firing Sunday night by university chancellor Nancy Cantor.

Friday night, he took another dramatic step. He apologized.

Boeheim entered the postgame news conference after Syracuse's 72-68 win over Florida and said he had to address a few pressing issues.

"I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made," said Boeheim, who was emotional in delivering his remarks."

(snip)

Recommend watching the video too; the article doesn't give the full transcript.

 

[Steely Dan]

From ESPN: Syracuse Orange coach Jim Boeheim issues unabashed apology

"SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim was angry and defensive when the allegations of sexual molestation were levied against his longtime associate head coach Bernie Fine.

Boeheim lashed out at the accusers. He called them liars and said they were seeking money.

But Boeheim has gone through a metamorphosis of emotions over the past two weeks and accepted Fine's firing Sunday night by university chancellor Nancy Cantor.

Friday night, he took another dramatic step. He apologized.

Boeheim entered the postgame news conference after Syracuse's 72-68 win over Florida and said he had to address a few pressing issues.

"I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made," said Boeheim, who was emotional in delivering his remarks."

(snip)

Recommend watching the video too; the article doesn't give the full transcript.

Looking at it from Boeheim's perspective he saw a kid who, as far as he knew, had lived with Fines for a long time and came out accusing a guy he'd worked with everyday for twenty years. LF probably gave him some BS story that Boeheim wanted to believe and Boeheim knew this had been investigated by the police before and found to be groundless. Then the second victim to come forward was the step brother of the first. With the Sandusky case going on and people talking about large amounts of compensation for the victims. I can see where Boeheim's original comments came from.

He believed his friend, as I think the vast majority of us would in a similar circumstance, and made an angry off the cuff remark. Then he finds out the police investigation was greatly flawed and hears the phone conversation between LF's wife and the victim and knows it's her and feels horrible because now he knows it's true. I think a lot of us would have acted similarly given the same set of circumstances. JMO

 

[ynotdivein]

Steely, I think you're right in your assessment of Boeheim's statements yesterday.

I'm just curious to see whether this will end in his summary dismissal.

 

[Pensfan]

If Bernie's accusations end somehow, his wife's may just be starting.

Bernie's wife says the recoding with her voice is altered and now there are rumors of a sex tape of her with a different basketball player.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/259688/20111201/bernie-fine-wife-sleeping-syracuse-players.htm

 

[SyraKelly]

YNN.com
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Updated 6:01 PM
Court papers released in Bernie Fine case

By: Katie Gibas

We have new details in the ongoing investigation into SU's former associate head basketball coach Bernie Fine. Court papers have just been released, outlining search warrants that have carried out to date and what was seized. Katie Gibas has more.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Court documents have brought new information to light in the investigation of SU's former associate head basketball coach Bernie Fine.

According to records released Monday, federal investigators have been looking for that could be used to "groom young males'' for sex. They are also investigating whether Fine took minors across state lines for sex, which is a felony.

In all, four search warrants were carried out. The details were made public via the Federal Court Systems website.

One search took place at his DeWitt home, another at his office at the Carmelo Anthony Basketball Center at Syracuse University and two safe deposit boxes: One at HSBC and one at Key Bank.

Fine's home was searched back on November 25th. At that time, we saw federal prosecutors seize three large filing cabinets. With these court documents, we have learned that they also took a number of CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, photos, computers, cameras and cell phones.

At his office at the Melo Center, similar items were taken.

Nothing was found at the safe deposit box at HSBC, but seven letters were taken from the box at Key Bank.

All of this comes after allegations that the former assistant basketball coach molested three boys, two of whom were ball boys for the team back in the 1980s.

In multiple written statements, Fine has denied the allegations.

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[SyraKelly]

I don't know how to post just a media story..sorry for the long post.I thought everyone would like to read this!

 

[wfgodot]

The Case Against Bernie Fine Is Falling Apart (Deadspin)

---
William Fitzpatrick, the Onondaga (N.Y.) County District Attorney, said today that he found Bobby Davis's and Michael Lang's accusations against Fine "credible," but he also apologized because the state of New York's five-year statute of limitations has expired.
---
Per the blog Nunes Magician, the New York Daily News discovered last week that Syracuse had flown to Pittsburgh for its 2002 game there against Pitt, which is where Tomaselli claims Fine abused him in a hotel room. Those travel records are damning because they contradict Tomaselli's sworn statement that he had taken the team bus to Pittsburgh. And now Jason Whitlock has tweeted that he learned yesterday Tomaselli was in fact in school on the day of the Pitt game. "He's cooked," Whitlock added.
---

more at link above

 

[Steely Dan]

The Case Against Bernie Fine Is Falling Apart (Deadspin)

more at link above

I never believed Tomaselli to begin with. His whole story seemed contrived to get a lesser sentence. Well that may have backfired on him, at least I sure hope it did. I hope the judge takes a dim view of this lie and sentences him to the maximum allowable under law and puts him with the general population.

 

[Pensfan]

Zach Tomaselli sues former Syracuse assistant basketball coach. He filed in Pittsburgh.
http://www.wtae.com/allegheny/29951057/detail.html

 

[Steely Dan]

Zach Tomaselli sues former Syracuse assistant basketball coach. He filed in Pittsburgh.
http://www.wtae.com/allegheny/29951057/detail.html

uke:

The only good thing to come of this is that it causes problems for Fine. Since nobody can prosecute him due to statute of limitations being over at least he has a gadfly. Tomaselli's not the guy I would have chosen for the job and hopefully it will be thrown out of court because I'd hate to see Tomaselli get a thin dime. If it's true that SU used a plane to get to Pittsburgh and not a bus, as Tomaselli has claimed, then it should be thrown out. I do like that it causes Fine a headache at the very least.

 

[MagnoliaMom]

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/alleged-victim-bernie-fine-abuse-hve-lied-molester/story?id=15104921

"People who commit violent crimes look for any reason to reduce their culpability and look for excuses for why they shouldn't be punished," Berkowitz said. "I don't mean to sound harsh, but trying to pass the blame onto someone else – this is all about person responsibility and the action he took."

The Associated Press has reported that Tomaselli had pleaded not guilty to 11 charges of molestation in the case, but now says that he will plead guilty.

I hope the reporters don't give him another second of their time.

 

[Reader]

Syracuse accuser files western Pa. lawsuit to rebut comments by Fine's lawyers, NY prosecutor

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sns-ap-bkc-syracuse-fine-investigation,0,2065449.story?obref=obinsite

............The "alleged discrepancies" between the records Fitzpatrick cited Wednesday and Tomaselli's account may be explained by the fact that Tomaselli didn't travel on the team's flight, but on a bus with some college-aged boosters and helpers, Anderson said. Fine arranged for Tomaselli to ride the bus, Anderson contends, so Tomaselli would be available for Fine to indulge in his "deviant and perverted sexual impulses."
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Victims of childhood sexual abuse are "denied basic legal rights," said the Rev. Robert Hoatson of the advocacy group Road to Recovery. "If there ever was a case that screamed 'injustice,' it is this one, since it glaringly displays the further damage that antiquated laws can inflict on victims," Hoatson said in a statement.

Tomaselli faces criminal charges in Maine that he molested an underage boy. He has told The Associated Press that he plans to plead guilty.

He said the lawsuit and speaking out against Fine are part of his efforts to take responsibility for that behavior.

"I need to get better and am getting help," Tomaselli said. "I know there are so many kids out there hurting and want them to know that I am now reclaiming myself and taking responsibility for the harm I have done and feel a responsibility to speak up and speak truthfully out so that others are helped and other kids are protected better."

 

[octobermoon]

Gloria Allred is representing the two men in a lawsuit against the University.

Live news conf. at this link

http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/13/livestream-gloria-allred-syracuse/

 

[Reader]

Gloria Allred is representing the two men in a lawsuit against the University.

Live news conf. at this link

http://www.tmz.com/2011/12/13/livestream-gloria-allred-syracuse/

2 men sue Syracuse, Boeheim for defamation

http://www.centurylink.net/news/read.php?rip_id=<[email protected]>&ps=1011

NEW YORK (AP) — Two men sued Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim and the school for defamation Tuesday, saying they were vilified as liars out for money after they accused his longtime assistant of molesting them.
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Victim advocates reacted angrily to Boeheim's initial comments and called for him to resign or be fired. He later said he was wrong to question the motives of the accusers.

That's not enough, said attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing the stepbrothers, and whose recent clients include a woman who accused presidential candidate Herman Cain of making unwelcome sexual advances.

"Boeheim's statements impugning the veracity and motivations of Mr. Davis and Mr. Lang were particularly disturbing given his 35 years of opportunity to observe Fine at close quarters, and at least seven years of opportunity to see Fine with Bobby Davis on trips, at practices, in Manley Field House and at games," Allred said.
-----

Boeheim denied ever going to the assistant's room, much less seeing Davis there.

"This kid came forward, and there was no one to corroborate his story. Not one. Not one," Boeheim told the AP. "... They said I walked into Bernie's room on the road and saw this. I have never walked into Bernie's room on the road. This isn't true. This just isn't true."

The suit said Boeheim "made each of these statements knowing they were false or recklessly disregarding their truth or falsity."

Much more at link....


Wonder if Boeheim will be able to survive this?