DA apologizes to Syracuse coach Bernie Fine accusers for being unable to press charges

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Assistant coach Bernie Fine of the Syracuse Orange looks on from the sidelines during their game against the Connecticut Huskies during the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009 in New York City.

(Credit: Getty Images/Jim McIsaac)

(CBS/AP) SYRACUSE, N.Y. - A district attorney in upstate New York is praising two men for coming forward with accusations of sex abuse against a Syracuse University former assistant basketball coach.

But Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick is also apologizing for not being able to bring charges against Bernie Fine because the statute of limitations has passed.

Fitzpatrick said on Wednesday that despite being unable to press charges, he found that two men who accused Fine of sexual abuse are credible.

Bobby Davis and his step-brother Michael Lang have accused Fine of molesting them for years starting in the 1980s.

At a news conference, Fitzpatrick said: "Bobby, I'm sorry it took so long." He praised Davis, saying he was "fighting for other kids."

23-year-old Zach Tomaselli, of Lewiston, Maine has also accused Fine of sexual abuse, but Fitzpatrick said his allegations don't relate to Onondaga County. Tomaselli's claims, which fall within federal statutes of limitations, are being investigated by federal authorities.

More on Crimesider
November 28, 2011 - Syracuse asst. basketball coach Bernie Fine fired following 3rd allegation of sex abuse
November 18, 2011 - Syracuse asst. basketball coach Bernie Fine put on leave following allegations of sex abuse
December 6, 2011 - Accuser of Syracuse coach Bernie Fine admits to sexually abusing boy

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by Truth_Tracker December 7, 2011 12:15 PM EST: It is unmistakably clear that it is getting more and more difficult for us to protect our children from child molesters and abusers. This is happening at a time when it is getting easier and easier to protect child molesters and abusers. Child molesters and abusers have such a broad base of staunch support for their protection. They've got large, powerful corporate institutions with much at stake and strong motives to cover up when they feel their financial interests and reputation are threatened. They've got local police, the DA's office, SU, local politicians and other local government agencies dedicated to protecting the politically and financially well-endowed Cash Cows and Sacred Cows in town and they have strong motives to whitewash, trivialize and cover up damning ugly 'Truths' when those 'Sacred Cows' are threatened. And they've got the media, like the Syracuse Post-Standard and ESPN, who are devout champions of the Cash Cows and Sacred Cows that pay their bills, and they have strong motives to whitewash, trivialize, muzzle and conceal vital information when their Cash Cow is threatened. They've got the 'sports jock' mentalities who are devout champions of the Cash Cows and Sacred Cows they pay for, and they have strong motives to whitewash, trivialize and 'deny' when their Sacred Cow is threatened.

Who do the 10 year old abused, molested, raped children have to protect them?

A society that does this to its children is reprehensible and demented beyond what the ordinary mind can conceive. Lots of heads in high places must roll for this global disgrace. Lots of high authority at the police department, the DA's office, SU, the Bond,Schoeneck & King law firm, ESPN, and the Post-Standard, to name a few, must be held accountable with serious job-ending consequences. Anything less is just "A Cover-Up Of A Cover-Up."; Reply to this comment