Syracuse Asst. Coach Bernie Fine Fired Amid Child Sex Abuse Probe(CASE CLOSED)

[MuffyBee]

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/Coach-accuser-dealing-with-abuse-case-in-Maine-134845288.html
Bernie Fine accuser dealing with abuse case in Maine
December 1, 2011

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) - A 23-year-old man who accused former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine of
molesting him is seeking to suppress evidence in his own molestation case in Maine.

Zach Tomaselli of Lewiston faces charges himself of abusing a boy under 14. He told The Associated Press that his past abuse made it difficult for him to set proper boundaries and to understand a proper relationship between a man and a boy. But he denies the charges.

Tomaselli wants a judge to prevent a videotaped interview with investigators from being used as evidence. Closing arguments on his motion were being held Thursday in Auburn.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/2011/12/1/2603290/bernie-fine-molestation-investigation-zach-tomaselli-bobby-davis-kansas-state
Bernie Fine Investigation: Accuser Zach Tomaselli Goes Into Deep Detail About Relationship With Fine
December 1, 2011

[Tamikosmom]

Third Fine accuser's case given to U.S. attorney
Updated 16h 41m ago

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Pittsburgh police have turned over the investigation of alleged child sexual abuse charges against former Syracuse associate basketball coach Bernie Fine to the U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of New York.

<snipped>

Tomaselli said neither Syracuse police nor anyone from the U.S. Attorney's office had been in contact with him for several days, though he sent e-mails requesting information to Syracuse police detective Clark Farry.

<snipped>

Tomaselli also says he was warned by Farry that Syracuse police no longer would deal with him if he went public with his story. Tomaselli said Farry went so far as to threaten him with an arrest by phone Sunday to prevent Tomaselli from doing a television interview that day. "That scared me," Tomaselli said.

Reached on his cellphone, Farry said he would not confirm or deny Tomaselli's claims. Syracuse detective Sgt. Tom Connellan said, "It is common practice for us to ask people not to speak to the media. If they choose to do so, that's their prerogative."

Tomaselli said Farry told him police no longer would be in his corner if he kept doing interviews. "He said they were behind me but (said) only talk to (police)."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/bigeast/story/2011-11-30/third-bernie-fine-accuser-case-given-to-us-attorney/51517386/1

[MuffyBee]

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Penn-State-clueless-as-Jerry-Sandusky-sexual-abuse-scandal-intensifies-120111
Penn State clueless in wake of scandal
By Greg Couch
December 1, 2011

 ::snipping2::
Penn State is buying up .XXX Internet domains with the school name and nicknames. Why? To try to prevent people from starting up porn sites with the school’s name in light of Penn State’s child sex abuse scandal.

“The cost was $200 per trademark, but this purchase should also prevent someone from buying a domain that includes our trademark along with other words,’’ Penn State spokesman Jeffrey Hermann told FoxNews.com in an email. “(For example) our purchase of nittanylion.xxx is intended to prevent someone from purchasing a url such as nittanyliongirls.’’

It makes sense, business sense. Penn State is just trying to protect itself from porn sleaze, trying to protect its image. But really? This is what they’re thinking about now, while the details, the size and the shape of this scandal and its horrors are only just beginning to come out?

If Joe Paterno, along with the former athletic director and school president, hadn’t been so hell-bent on protecting Penn State football’s brand – at the expense of young boys allegedly being sexually abused by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky – then maybe some of those boys could have been saved, not to mention the once-good name of Paterno.
 ::snipping2::
Protecting domain names will do absolutely nothing for the image, by the way. It’s just some tiny nonsense showing Penn State’s hyper-sensitivity to its name, which is now, and for decades, mud.

It also shows how lost Penn State is, not recognizing that the tidal wave has yet to hit.
 ::snipping2::
On Wednesday. A 29-year-old man, who was not mentioned in the first grand jury report about Sandusky, filed suit. He is the first plaintiff to file a suit in the case. He says that Sandusky abused him more than 100 times, and then threatened him to keep quiet. The suit names Sandusky, Penn State and Sandusky’s charity, The Second Mile, which was supposed to be about helping disadvantaged kids, but instead, if allegations are true, seems to have served as Sandusky’s picking ground.
 ::snipping2::
Meanwhile, school administrators and students planned to talk at a two-hour public forum Wednesday night to discuss the scandal. School officials referred to it as part of a community healing process. It is absurd to think the school is anywhere near the healing process yet.
 ::snipping2::
The man filing the lawsuit tells a similar story to the ones the grand jury already alleged. It’s safe to assume that dozens more lawsuits will be filed, all with gruesome details that will reflect directly on Penn State.
Meanwhile, Sandusky is in his own crisis-management mode. His attorney is attacking the credibility of the alleged victims. In response, Andrew Shubin, attorney for alleged Victim 2, released a statement:

“Our investigation reveals that Sandusky is an unrepentant child predator. He caused incalculable devastation to children, their families and our community and is continuing to do so through his attacks on the victims’ credibility.’’

This is just the beginning. And Penn State is out hopelessly and cluelessly buying up .xxx domains and holding community forums.

Penn State tries to protect itself. Sandusky tries to protect himself.

Logically, you couldn’t expect them to do things any differently.

But it’s hard to feel too much concern for Penn State’s name potentially being victimized by a smutty sex industry.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.nesn.com/2011/12/report-jerry-sandusky-may-consider-plea-deal-if-victims-continue-to-come-forward.html
Report: Jerry Sandusky May Consider Plea Deal If Victims Continue to Come Forward
By Dan Duquette, Jr.
December 1, 2011

Jerry Sandusky's list of victims is continuing to grow and it may eventually reach a tipping point. Sandusky may soon have to face the possibility that cutting a deal with the prosecution is in his best interests.

Sandusky's lawyer, Joe Amendola, could recommend that Sandusky consider a plea deal if more and more victims continue to come forward, according to the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

"If more allegations come forth and Jerry gets to the point where he realizes [he's] fighting against more than the original allegations [it] might be a real uphill battle," Amendola is quoted as saying.

However, that doesn't mean that Sandusky is willing to admit that he's guilty of the crimes he's accused of.

"Bottom line, Jerry has always maintained his innocence, from the first allegation, and continues to maintain innocence," Amendola proclaims. "What happens with any additional charges which may be filed remains to be seen."
More...

[MuffyBee]

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/12/jerry_sanduskys_lawyer_clarifi.html
Jerry Sandusky's lawyer clarifies plea-agreement statement
December 1, 2011

[MuffyBee]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/bigeast/story/2011-12-01/syracuse-tomaselli-interviews-police-bernie-fine/51553708/1
Advocate supports Tomaselli speaking about Fine accusations
December 1, 2011

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - A sexual abuse victims' advocate said Thursday it is not surprising police would tell Bernie Fine accuser Zach Tomaselli to refrain from speaking publicly about his case, but added it was critical for Tomaselli to tell his story.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/search-warrant-issued-case-su-coach-15064611
AP Source: Search in Fine Inquiry Targets Locker
December 1, 2011

Federal authorities have searched a locker in the Syracuse University basketball center in their investigation of former assistant coach Bernie Fine, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the case.
 ::snipping2::
The official confirmed the search at the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center happened Wednesday. The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because it's an ongoing investigation, would not say what agents sought or what they recovered from the locker.

The coaches' lockers are on the second floor of the facility; players' lockers are on the first floor.

Court documents show the third search warrant was issued Tuesday and signed by U.S. Magistrate Andrew Baxter.

Fine's office on campus was searched Tuesday morning, and his suburban home was searched last Friday. The U.S. Attorney's office in northern New York, which is leading the investigation, has not said what it sought or found.
 ::snipping2::
Federal authorities are not constrained by a statute of limitations should they turn up evidence Fine molested his latest accuser, 23-year-old Zach Tomaselli of Lewiston, Maine. He said he told police that Fine molested him in 2002 in a Pittsburgh hotel room after a game. He said Fine touched him "multiple" times in that one incident.

Under federal law in 2002, prosecutions for the sexual or physical abuse or kidnapping of a child under 18 could continue until the victim turned 25. Subsequent amendments changed that to the life of the child or 10 years after the offense, whichever is longer.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/department_of_education_consid.html
Department of Education considering probe of SU over Bernie Fine allegations
December 1, 2011

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Education is considering whether to launch an investigation into Syracuse University’s handling of child molestation claims against former associate head basketball coach Bernie Fine.

Department officials in Washington, D.C., are discussing internally whether to order the formal review to see if SU violated the Clery Act, a spokesman said. The federal statute requires colleges to provide timely warning to students and employees about crimes or threats reported on campus.

Under the Clery Act, any college or university participating in federal financial aid programs — even a private school like Syracuse University — is required to maintain and disclose campus crime statistics and security information.

The department has no timetable for deciding whether to investigate SU.

The Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid has already ordered a formal program review of Penn State over its handling of child sex abuse allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

If a school is found in violation of the Clery Act, it faces penalties of up to $27,500 per violation.
 ::snipping2::
If the Department of Education orders a Cleary Act review for SU, investigators could come to the Syracuse campus to examine records and interview students, school officials and employees.

The review could include a look into SU’s internal investigation into child molestation allegations against Fine in 2005. The university hired the Syracuse law firm of Bond, Schoeneck and King to handle the 2005 investigation. The results of that review were never made public or shared with the campus community.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/2011/11/28/2594992/laurie-fines-cnn-interview-was-brief-uneventful
Laurie Fine's CNN Interview Was Brief, Uneventful
November 28, 2011

 ::snipping2::
The entire exchange consisted of Tuchman knocking on Fine's front door, asking for a comment or statement and being rejected. It was Armen Keteyian 2.0, minus the window into Fine's emotions. The full transcript, for what it's worth, appears below:

    Tuchman: "Hi, I'm Gary Tuchman from CNN, I'm sorry to bother you ..."

    Fine: "You're not bothering me.

    Tuchman: "I was hoping I can ask you -- your nephew was saying that you might have a statement."

    Fine: "We have no statement."

    Tuchman: "You're not going to make a statement today?"

    Fine: "Not today."

    Tuchman: "Is that tape, is that tape misinterpreted, though?"

    Fine: "I have no comment."

    Tuchman: "How come you cannot comment?"

    Fine: "I cannot comment."
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnns-exclusive-with-laurie-fine-is-eerily-similar-to-the-cbs-exclusive-with-mike-mcqueary/
CNN’s ‘Exclusive’ With Laurie Fine Is Eerily Similar To The CBS ‘Exclusive’ With Mike McQueary
November 29, 2011

[MuffyBee]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/sports/ncaabasketball/syracuse-criticized-for-its-handling-of-sexual-abuse-case.html
Syracuse Criticized for Its Handling of Sexual Abuse Case
December 1, 2011

This is an extremely interesting article imo.

[MuffyBee]

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/city/2011/12/02/judge-considers-tossing-statements-tomaselli-sex-abuse-case-auburn/1122678
Judge considers tossing statements in Tomaselli sex-abuse case in Auburn
By Lindsay Tice, Staff Writer
December 1, 2011

AUBURN — A Lewiston man who has accused a former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach of sexual abuse and who himself is charged with sexually abusing a child, says a Lewiston police detective coerced him into making possibly incriminating statements during an interview.

Zachary Tomaselli, 23, is charged with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy.

His lawyer, Justin Leary, told an Androscoggin County Superior Court judge on Thursday that Tomaselli spoke to a Lewiston detective for more than three hours and spent two hours and 46 minutes of that time repeatedly denying that he'd sexually abused the boy. Leary said the detective then insinuated that Tomaselli could be charged with an even more serious crime — which was untrue — if he didn't confess. That's when, Leary said, Tomaselli made his statements.

On Thursday, during closing arguments at a hearing on a motion to suppress statements, Leary asked Justice MaryGay Kennedy to throw out Tomaselli's videotaped interrogation.

Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Worden, however, told the judge that the detective hadn't done any legal research and hadn't meant to incorrectly quote the law to Tomaselli. He said the detective didn't coerce Tomaselli; he simply challenged Tomaselli's story and Tomaselli admitted he'd lied earlier in the interview and then told the truth. Worden asked the judge to keep the interrogation, and Tomaselli's statements, as part of the case against him.

It was unclear what Tomaselli's statements were.

Kennedy, who viewed the tape of the interview in chambers earlier this week, did not issue a ruling Thursday.
More...

[MuffyBee]

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7303172/vera-house-survivors-speak-syracuse-college-basketball
Survivors at Vera House speak out
In Syracuse, male sexual abuse victims share their stories in hopes of helping others
By Dana O'Neil
ESPN.com
December 1, 2011


courtesy Vera HouseVera House, an outreach and advocacy center for victims of sexual and domestic abuse, sits just a few miles from the Syracuse campus.


    “

    There is no cure. This isn't Dr. Phil.
    ” -- Tim, sexual abuse survivor

[MuffyBee]

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/feed/2011-11/syracuse-scandal/story/boeheim-starting-to-sound-more-and-more-like-paterno
Boeheim starting to sound more and more like Paterno
David Whitley AOL FanHouse Columnist
December 2, 2011

Jim Boeheim says he's not Joe Paterno. He shouldn't be treated like the defrocked leader of Penn State.

He's right, and he's wrong.
More...

[MuffyBee]

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/boeheim-coach-us-olympic-team-15073088
Boeheim Gets Ovation as Inquiry Continues
By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer
December 2, 2011

[MuffyBee]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-newswire-20111203,0,225131.story
Jim Boeheim says he 'misspoke' in initial reaction to scandal
Syracuse coach says his remarks in defending longtime assistant Bernie Fine were insensitive and that he will help raise awareness about the issue of child abuse.
December 2, 2011

A contrite Jim Boeheim apologized again Friday night after another big victory.
 ::snipping2::
"I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made. I shouldn't have questioned what the accusers expressed or their motives. I am really sorry that I did that, and I regret any harm that I caused," he said.

"It was insensitive for the individuals involved and especially to the overall issue of child abuse."

He also said it was important that he get involved in terms of raising awareness.

"They need to get the message out," he said. "I'm going to do everything I can to do that, whether I'm coaching or not coaching."
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

BBM -  I think this "loyalty" I keep hearing about in this case and that of Penn State is a big part of the reason those raping and sexually abusing young boys got away with it so many times over so long a time. Loyalty?  What about the victims?    And in this article Boeheim accuses the victims of trying to make money, and saying it's all about money.  Well Mr. Boeheim, how much money is involved in your sports program?  How much money is/was at risk for Syracuse and the sports dept.  if and when cases of child sex abuse is revealed, how much is that going to hurt recruiting and fundraising? I'd say quite a lot, and you know it.  CYA 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57336078/boeheim-apologizes-for-questioning-fine-accusers/
Boeheim apologizes for questioning Fine accusers
December 2, 2011

(AP)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim said Friday he's "really sorry" he questioned the motives of the men who accused his longtime assistant of molesting them as minors.

"I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made," an emotional Boeheim said in a postgame press conference. "I shouldn't have questioned what the accusers expressed or their motives. I am really sorry that I did that, and I regret any harm that I caused."
 ::snipping2::
Boeheim insisted his apology and his regrets came from the heart.

"No one said this is what you should say," he said. "This is what I feel."

When the accusations first were made public, Boeheim adamantly defended Fine and verbally disparaged the accusers, accusing them of lying for money.
"The Penn State thing came out, and the kid behind this is trying to get money," Boeheim said of accuser Bobby Davis in an interview with the Syracuse Post-Standard. "If he gets this, he's going to sue the university and Bernie. What do you think is going to happen at Penn State? You know how much money is going to be involved in civil suits? I'd say about $50 million. That's what this is about. Money."

Advocates for sex abuse victims had called for Boeheim to resign or be fired for disparaging the accusers.

Speaking after No. 4 Syracuse beat No. 10 Florida on Friday, Boeheim said his initial comments were "insensitive to the individuals involved and especially to the overall issue of sex abuse."

"What I said last week was out of loyalty," he said. "I acted without thinking. I couldn't believe what I was hearing."

Boeheim said he spent time this week at the McMahon Ryan House for child abuse in Syracuse and plans to get involved to help raise awareness.
 ::snipping2::

[MuffyBee]

http://www.sportsgrid.com/ncaa-basketball/espns-vice-president-vince-doria-regrets-the-way-espn-handled-the-bernie-fine-sex-abuse-story/
ESPN’s Vice President Speaks Out On Criticisms Of The Way ESPN Covered The Bernie Fine Sex Abuse Story
December 2, 2011

ince Doria is ESPN’s Vice President and Director of News, and, per his bio on the company’s site, is “responsible for news content on all ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNEWS studio programs.” Recently, one of those studio shows, Outside the Lines, aired a tape from 2002, in which the wife of a Syracuse assistant coach spoke with a former ball boy who was allegedly molested by that assistant coach.

On the tape, Laurie Fine, the wife of former Syracuse coach Bernie Fine, sounds like a woman who knows her husband has done something wrong. She mentions Fine’s ”issues,” and the fact that “he needs that…male companionship.” It’s dark stuff, twisted stuff, and most of all, incriminating stuff. This lady sounds like she knows her husband’s been molesting kids.

Which is why ESPN has come under the fire for sitting on the tape for so long. It’s almost 10 years old, and seems to corroborate the former ball boy’s story, which is that he was sexually abused as a child. Despite this, the Worldwide Leader sat on the story and never turned the tape over to police.

On Sunday, CNN will air an interview between Howard Kurtz and Vince Doria. CNN was kind enough to send over this preview clip, in which Kurtz asks Doria why ESPN put two of their sources in touch with each other. Both of those sources — Zach Tomaselli and Bobby Davis — have accused Fine of sexually abusing them. Davis was the one who taped the conversation with Fine’s wife, and gave it to Outside the Lines.
More...

[MuffyBee]

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball/story/zach-tomaselli-third-syracuse-accuser-stands-by-story-in-jason-whitlock-interview-120211
3rd Bernie Fine accuser stands by story
Jason Whitlock
December 3, 2011

Zach Tomaselli, the third accuser in the Bernie Fine/Syracuse scandal, answered a series of difficult questions with amazing poise and confidence Friday morning during a fascinating one-hour interview for my “Real Talk” podcast at FOXSportsradio.com.
 ::snipping2::  (Podcasts)
More...
Listen to it here:  http://www.foxsportsradio.com/pages/jasonwhitlock/index.html

Go here to listen to the entire interview:  http://www.foxsportsradio.com/pages/jasonwhitlock/index.html