Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine has been fired by the university amid allegations that he sexually molested boys over several years.
A statement released Sunday night from the university's senior vice president for public affairs, Kevin Quinn, says, "At the direction of Chancellor Cantor, Bernie Fine’s employment with Syracuse University has been terminated, effective immediately."
Fine has been the subject of a sexual molestation investigation involving several law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s office, Onondaga County District Attorney’s office, Syracuse Police, and New York State Police.
In a story ESPN aired on November 17, one alleged victim, Bobby Davis, who is now 39, told "Outside the Lines" he was abused by Fine for six years, at Fine's home, at the university basketball facilities, and on the road. Davis was the team's ball boy for six years beginning in 1984.
A second alleged victim, Mike Lang, who is now 45, is Davis' stepbrother, and was also a ball boy for several years. Lang told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" that Fine molested him starting when Lang was in the fifth or sixth grade.
A third alleged victim, 23-year-old Zach Tomaselli, came forth late last week. He currently lives in Maine and claims that he was molested by Fine in 2002.
Sunday, ESPN aired
a phone conversation allegedly between Fine's wife Laurie and Bobby David, which Davis recorded in 2002. In the recording, ESPN says Laurie Fine can be heard saying "I know everything that went on with him...Bernie has issues, maybe that he's not aware of, but he has issues... and you trusted someone you shouldn't have."
Fine was in his 35th season as assistant to head coach Jim Boeheim.
In a statement Sunday night, Boeheim said, "I believe the university took the appropriate step tonight."
Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor also
issued a statement, in which she said, "We do not tolerate abuse. If anything good comes out of this tragedy, it will be that this basic principle is reinforced."
