(Basketball coach accused of molestation) Bernie Fine Can’t Be Charged, District Attorney Says

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Source: NY Times

The former Syracuse assistant men’s basketball coach Bernie Fine cannot be prosecuted for allegations that he sexually abused two boys in the 1980s because the statute of limitations had run out, William Fitzpatrick, the district attorney for Onondaga County, N.Y., said Wednesday. Fitzpatrick added he believed the accusers were telling the truth about the abuse.

Fitzpatrick said the men, Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, were credible in their accounts, and he regretted their accusations were not brought to his office in 2002 when Davis called the Syracuse police and alerted several news media outlets to his claims.

“It’s not my place to say that Bernie Fine is guilty of anything,” Fitzpatrick said. “It is my place to say that the two victims are believable.”

Federal authorities are continuing to investigate accusations made by a third accuser, Zach Tomaselli. Secret Service agents have assisted in searches of Fine’s home and office over the past two weeks. Tomaselli, who is from Lewiston, Me., said Fine abused him in 2002 after a game in Pittsburgh.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/sports/ncaabasketball/accusers-are-credible-but-former-syracuse-coach-cant-be-charged-district-attorney-says.html