
Bernie Fine faces a third accuser and has now been fired by Syracuse.
Syracuse, seeming to learn from Penn State’s mistakes, has been very proactive about the sexual abuse allegations against longtime assistant coach Bernie Fine. When the accusations broke, they suspended Fine immediately. Now that a third accuser has some forward with a story, Syracuse has fired Bernie Fine effective immediately. The third accuser is 23-year-old Zach Tomaselli of Lewiston, Maine, who weaves a story of seduction and assault similar to that of those already issued, concerning a man using his power within the basketball program to lure young boys into his web, sometimes using his wife as bait.
“The allegations that have come forth today are disturbing and deeply troubling,” said men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim in a statement. “I am personally very shocked because I have never witnessed any of the activities that have been alleged. I believe the university took the appropriate step tonight. What is most important is that this matter be fully investigated and that anyone with information be supported to come forward so that the truth can be found. I deeply regret any statements I made that might have inhibited that from occurring or been insensitive to victims of abuse.”
Of course, Tomaselli is far from a clean witness for the prosecution. He’s facing charges of sexual abuse concerning his assault of a 14-year-old boy in Maine. Still, he corroberated the story of the other men making allegations, and he’s even got an incriminating conversation between himself and Laurie Fine on tape.
Tags: Syracuse, Syracuse University, Bernie Fine, Jim Boeheim, Bernie Fine scandal, sexual abuse, sexual assault, basketball, college basketball, Syracuse fires Bernie Fine, Bernie Fine fired by Syracuse, Syracuse Orangemen, Zach Tomaselli, Lewiston, Maine, Laurie Fine