E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSNEW YORK -- Two men who say they were sexually molested by former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine are suing the school and head coach Jim Boeheim for defamation.
Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, former Syracuse ball boys, have claimed "years of sexual molestation" by Fine.
Fine, who has been fired, has denied the allegations. A third man also has accused Fine. The U.S. attorney's office is investigating.
Attorney Gloria Allred said at a news conference Tuesday in New York City that the two men have filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court.
In a statement, Davis said he is filing the lawsuit because he doesn't want other victims to be afraid. He says Boeheim has "seriously hurt" his reputation but wants "people to know the truth."
When the allegations first surfaced, Boeheim adamantly defended Fine and accused the men of lying for money.
"Some people have said that if these allegations are true, I should be fired. Why? Because Bernie Fine is my friend and I support him? I don’t have any reason not to," Boeheim said at the time.
Later, Boeheim apologized for questioning the accusers' motives and said his initial comments were "insensitive."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Leave a Comment:
I wondered how long it would take for the fakes to come out of the woodwork looking to sue for a free cash handout. Anytime these people smell money it's like sharks to a chum bucket and our courts and legal system condones these frivolous lawsuits.
Yep , time to get those big check books out....
chuckzul - it's attitudes like yours that keep victims from coming forward - you victimize them all over again.
Molestation of boys has been a big secret in sports. It's rarely reported because of the stigma attached to the victim — boys/men are supposed to be tough and letting someone do something to you would mean you aren't a man, that you are weak.
I went to my church leaders and they told me that I was a liar and to stop making up stories. My abuser was the coach — a married man and father — and considered a "good man in the church." No one would believe me, so I stopped trying to get anyone to believe me.
I moved on — but many can't and their lives suffer greatly because of it. Often, they turn to alcohol and drugs to try and deal with the pain — emotional and physical.
With the Sandusky case bringing things out into the open — men across the country are realizing they are not alone, that this has happened to others. Most importantly, that they should not be ashamed — they were the victim and speaking out can keep abusers from victimizing others.
You are going to see more and more men and boys speaking out and confronting their abusers.
Hey DVG...
ALLEGEDLY.
Sandusky's case appears to be a slam dunk for prosecutors. Bernie Fine's is a far cry from that and the credibility of his accusers is very much in question. Charges have not been filed - this article is about a CIVIL lawsuit seeking money, not jailtime.
Both men are entitled to their day in court, but these are very different cases.
Steve,
You are mistaken, the credIbility of Fine's accusers has been found to be credible per the prosecutor however because of the statute of limitations they cannot proceed. Read up http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/story/2011-12-07/lawyer-says-two-accusers-of-bernie-fine-are-credible/51723010/1
They can't pursue jailtime in Fine's case because they cannot criminally prosecute the crime.....get it???? Attitudes like yours and others that think those who have been abused are lying are a BIG...no wait HUGE part of the problem.
And prosecutors never lie or mislead anyone, right? Oh, unless they are in Durham, NC. I believe prosecutors lie as much as anyone if it helps their "case." Look how many innocent people have been sent to prison. Thank Barry Schenck for exposing some of these unjust convictions by over zealous prosecutors who didn't care who they trampled down to win a case, witholding evidence favorable to the accused, and coaching witnesses to say doubtful things.
Dina,
I am from Syracuse, and would be happy to tell you a thing or two about the DA's credibility as well. However, your assumption that I am uninformed does absolutely nothing to change the fact that Bernie Fine has not been to trial. The DA's comments do not automatically make Fine guilty, nor his accusers credible.
As to being part of the problem, again your logic falls short. I, like any rational person, believe child molestation to be among the deepest of evils in today's society. However, sensationalist media and overzealous lawyers in a highly litigious society can just as easily make victims out of their targets.
So I ask you... do you "get it????"
Thank you for playing.
only three people know the truth, the two making the claims and Mr. Fine. if he is guilty then whatever punishment handed out should be done so properly, if he isn't, then the two men should be put in jailed, fined the cost of Fine's legal fees and his name cleared...or does that make too much sense to everyone?
"The former Syracuse assistant men’s basketball coach Bernie Fine cannot be prosecuted for allegations that he sexually abused two boys in the 1980s because the statute of limitations had run out, William Fitzpatrick, the district attorney for Onondaga County, N.Y., said Wednesday. Fitzpatrick added he believed the accusers were telling the truth about the abuse. Fitzpatrick said the men, Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, were credible in their accounts, and he regretted their accusations were not brought to his office in 2002 when Davis called the Syracuse police and alerted several news media outlets to his claims."
The point being that these men were abused for years as boys, but the criminal court cannot pursue justice due to the current statute of limitations for the offense. Their only recourse for justice for the abuse and most recent defamation is to petition the civil court. The statute of limitations should be changed for crimes commited against a minor.
Why is Jim Boeheim appogizing. He was obviously right. These guys are looking for a pay day and they don't care who they hurt in the process. Maybe Fine should be suing them.
<Whine> I was molested!
<sob> I was forced to do bad sexual things by a man!
<sob sob> I want money! <whine> I deserve cash!
<whimper> I have no proof, but I was abused!
<sob> I was abused! I was!
And now you'll give me lots of money, or I'll drag your fine, wonderful institution through the mud of my own greed.
Got witnesses that you didn't defame me? Got any evidence?
No?
Didn't think so.
pay me, <whine>
or else.
With the Catholic priest scandal, "victims" came forward with suits and it was proven the accused priests weren't even at the parishes at the time these victims alleged they were abused. So yes, money hungry "victims" will come out of the woodwork and hope they can sneak in with the mudslide of accusers. Also, most juries will likely side with alleged victims. Remember the McMartin child care case? "Victims" were coached by prosecutors as to what to say. Later they recanted their stories when they were old enough to know they had been manipilated and the accused were exonerated. It works both ways. Adult "victims" know what they need to say and how to describe what allegedly happened. That doesn't mean they are telling the truth.
It's always about the money isn't it.
When Gloria Allred is involved, you also have a major sleaze factor that just smells bad.
the 3rd boy that accused Fine was being charged w/sexual abuse himself and used the excuse Fine abused him- now they are saying that accuser is not credible - strange case
This lawsuit has nothing to do with justice for the alleged victims. This lawsuit is not against the alleged perpetrator. This is a civil lawsuit against Boeheim and Syracuse University. This is an attempt by a lawyer to get money for her clients and has nothing to do with the alleged abuse. And it will never go to court. This will be a cash cow for the lawyer and her clients and will be settled out of court so that Syracuse University can make this all go away. There will be conditions placed on the settlements stating that everyone has to keep their mouth shut. Again, this has nothing to do with justice. The civil suit is an attempt to get money for alleged damages as a result of initial comments by Boeheim when he thought we was defending a friend. This has nothing to do with Bernie Fine. The headlines keep mentioning his name in order to grab attention, and again, is why SU will agree to pay in order to make this all go away.