Bernie Fine Calls Allegations 'Patently False'
Syracuse men's basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine denied allegations that he molested a former team ball boy in a statement released on Friday.
Fine, an assistant at Syracuse for 35 years, said that Bobby Davis' allegations about molestation were completely false. The statement, published in its entirety below, was released by Fine's lawyer, Karl J. Sleight of Harris Beach.
Simply put, these allegations are patently false in every aspect. The fact is these allegations have been thoroughly investigated multiple times. When evaluating the veracity of these accusations, please keep in mind that credible media outlets were approached in the past to publicize these false allegations and declined to do so. I fully cooperated with all past inquires.
Sadly, we live in an allegation-based society and an internet age where in a matter of minutes one's life long reputation can be severely damaged. I am confident that, as in the past, a review of these allegations will be discredited and restore my reputation. I hope the latest review of these allegations will be conducted expeditiously.
Finally, I appreciate the Chancellor's statement that I should be accorded a fair opportunity to defend myself against these accusations. I fully intend to do so. There should never be a rush to judgment when someone's personal integrity and career are on the line.
Fine has been placed on administrative leave and has been replaced by former Syracuse basketball star Gerry McNamara on coach Jim Boeheim's staff. Fine is accused by Davis and his stepbrother, Mike Lang, of molesting the two over a 12-year time period. But Boeheim, who has known Fine for over 50 years, doesn't believe the validity of the allegations.
I know this kid, but I never saw him in any rooms or anything, Boeheim told ESPN. It is a bunch of a thousand lies that he has told. You don't think it is a little funny that his cousin (relative) is coming forward?
He supplied four names to the university that would corroborate his story. None of them did ... there is only one side to this story. He is lying.
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