Syracuse University Assistant Basketball Coach Accused Of Child Molestation
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WJZ)—There are new sex abuse allegations involving another coach on another campus. A Syracuse University assistant basketball coach is now accused of molesting two boys.
Meghan McCorkell has the latest on this developing story.
Two former ballboys claim assistant coach Bernie Fine abused them years ago. Fine is lashing out, saying those claims are patently false.
There are sordid allegations against another college coach.
"First he would start rubbing my leg. And then he'd sit next to me and rub my leg, and gradually he'd put his hand down my pants," said Bobby Davis, alleged victim.
Bobby Davis, 39, and his stepbrother, 45-year-old Mike Lang, claim Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine fondled them when they were ballboys for the team in the '80s and '90s.
"I told him, 'Bernie, please don't do that to me.' And then he'd do it again and again," said Mike Lang, alleged victim.
If they resisted, they say Fine became aggressive.
"I think I got to the point where it was like just get it over. Get it done. He'll leave. Whatever, you know."
In a statement, Fine denies all allegations, saying in part: "I am confident that, as in the past, a review of these allegations will be discredited and restore my reputation."
In 2005, Syracuse University investigated claims of improper conduct. But they weren't proven.
Head basketball coach Jim Boeheim stands behind Fine, saying of his accuser "I know this kid, but I never saw him in any rooms or anything. It is a bunch of a thousand lies that he has told."
Students at Syracuse are praying he's right.
"I just hope to God it's not true," one students said. "I hope so much that it's not true."
"Just being a part of the university, you never think something like that can happen. I hope it's not true," said another student.
The district attorney says there's not much he can do about these latest allegations because the alleged abuse happened so many years ago.
Fine has been put on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation.
