Bernie Fine Suing ESPN For $11M

((HT: CNYCentral))

The HQ knew this was coming, but not just how much of it was coming... according to papers filed in the United States District Court in Syracuse.

Attorneys for ESPN have moved the defamation case to Federal Court that was brought forward by the ex-Syracuse assistant basketball coach. Mark Schwarz and his producer, and the parent companies of ESPN- Walt Disney and Hearst- have all been removed as defendants in the Bobby Davis stories that aired...

A U.S. Magistrate has scheduled a court hearing for July 18th where a schedule will be drawn up...

Fine is claiming ESPN defamed him in November of 2011 when it reported on accusations by former team ball boy Bobby Davis that Fine has sexually abused Davis. Others came forward to pile on, but statutes of limitations were challenged and so were the alleged victims and their recollections...

The case outline is hyah...

Bobby Davis and Mike Lang are also suing Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim for slander for remarks he made in November 2011 when he called them "liars out for money" when they accused Fine of molesting them. The case is under appeal...

Here was the story when it initially broke:
((HT: ESPN))

Fine Accuser: "It Was All A Game"

((HT: CNYCentral.com))

That's what Zach Tomaselli is saying now... he's heading to a prison in Maine next week to start serving his own term of sexually abusing a teen at a summer camp. And, now if you believe him, the reason he went along with Bobby Davis was to get a lighter sentence in his own case... and an apparent hatred of Syracuse basketball since he's a Kansas fan...

Tomaselli now says he has never met now-former Syracuse men's hoops assistant Bernie Fine in his life...

Here's the latest...


The HQ is now going to take a shower... again...

And In Other Legal News... It's Civil, But Not In Syracuse

((HT: WSYR-TV))

Former Syracuse ball boys Bobby Davis and Mike Lang maintain they were molested by former assistant coach Bernie Fine. Davis and Lang are now in the process of suing Syracuse University as a civil matter.

Fine denies the allegations, but now a third man has come forward and accused Fine of the same thing.

Davis and Lang have hired attorney Gloria Allred, and at her first press conference, she said that the two men have filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court.

Davis says "it really hurt me to learn coach Boeheim had accused me of lying."

Lang says when Boeheim suggested "my little brother and I were lying" he "felt sick to my stomach... coming forward is one of the hardest things I've had to do in my life."

More when we know more...

Molestation charges in Syracuse: Tough decisions

Bernie Fine

((ht: syracuse.com))

**UPDATED WITH STATMENT FROM FINE**

Perhaps it was a result of the chaos at Penn State. Perhaps it was something a long time coming. Maybe it was somewhat questionable investigating. Either way, two brothers are alleging that Syracuse University basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine molested them when they were kids.

The accusations are not new. 39-year old Bobby Davis made them to the Syracuse Post-Standard back in 2002, ESPN in 2003 and the University themselves in 2005. Davis said the improper behavior began in the early 80's when he was a ball boy for the basketball team and for a time lived at Fine's home, in the basement.

ESPN also prepared a story on this around the same time.

Davis told them at the time he was trying to prevent Fine from doing anything to other kids. Both the newspaper and ESPN investigated along with Syracuse police and the University as well. None of the organizations at the time found anyone to corroborate Davis's story or evidence a crime was committed.

ESPN held the story until Thursday night when they came forward with a corroborating witness, Davis's step brother Mike Lang.

Read the story from the Post-Standard RIGHT HERE

Read the ESPN "Outside-the-lines" story RIGHT HERE

Fine, who has been the top assistant to Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, was placed on administrative leave by the school immediately and the school along with police, have re-opened their investigation.

Boeheim issued a statement defending his friend:

"This matter was fully investigated by the university in 2005 and it was determined that the allegations were unfounded. I have known Bernie Fine for more than 40-years. I have never seen or witnessed anything to suggest that he would have been involved in any of the activities alleged. Had I seen or suspected anything, I would have taken action. Bernie has my full support."


The schools chancellor, Nancy Cantor (no relation) issued a statement, you can read it by following the link RIGHT HERE

This is a difficult story, particularly in light of what is happening at Penn State. It certainly is something that must be taken very seriously and it appears that everyone involved is, contrary to what Penn State did.

It is extremely hard to tell if Davis and his step-brother are just looking for publicity or there is a serious issue.

On the other hand, the school has been extremely pro-active it appears in investigating the allegations. More than once. Multiple people within the administration are willing to stick their necks out on this. For Jim Boeheim to say what he did, if Fine was found guilty, would be career suicide. And nobody thinks Boeheim would do that.

**UPDATE**--Bernie Fine issued a statement Friday afternoon denying all charges leveled against him. Fine, via his attorney said - "Simply put, these allegations are patently false in every aspect. The fact is that 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 inquiries.


"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 judgement when someone's personal integrity and career are on the line."

ESPN has graciously provided an embed for this story, watch for yourself and try deciding: