Bernie Fine Sex Abuse Scandal: Syracuse Police Investigate As Basketball Coach Placed On Leave

[Tx4obama]

Source: AP via Huffington Post

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Just two weeks after Penn State was rocked by a child sex-abuse scandal, ESPN reported Thursday that police were investigating an assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University on allegations of child molestation.

Shortly afterward, Syracuse placed longtime assistant coach Bernie Fine on administrative leave "in light of the new allegations and the Syracuse City Police investigation," the school said.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/17/bernie-fine-child-abuse-syracuse-basketball-investigation_n_1100579.html

---

Related:

Statement from Kevin Quinn, Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, Syracuse University
November 17, 2011
http://www.syr.edu/news/articles/2011/statement-11-17.html

Police confirm investigation into allegations against SU assistant coach Bernie Fine
http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=688021#.TsXtfFat21e

[juajen]

1. Something tells me that this is just the beginning.

I wonder why men who seem normal and caring individuals, get off on abusing and molesting innocent children. Please don't accuse me of gender bias. Though I am sure there are exceptions, this is overwhelmingly a male crime. I wonder if there are studies on the prevalence of this crime and ideas of why it happens. I know I have read about this happening all over the world. How many children are being destroyed mentally by sexual assaults. It could be hormonal imbalances caused by almost anything in our deregulated society. I would be interested in any information anyone has of research on this problem.

[NashVegas]

5. Sex Without Responsibility - the Easy Way

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2263694

How many child molesters (male or female) ever had to do any emotional lifting in those relationships?

Tell a neglected kid they're "special," give them some affection, and they'll do just about anything for you.

[alp227]

2. i read about this in the ny times

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/sports/ncaabasketball/syracuse-assistant-is-accused-of-sexual-abuse.html

this happened in 1983, was initially investigated 20 years later, and now finally there's an arrest. damn.

[tblue]

3. Oh for crying out loud!!!!

What do these institutions and the Catholic priesthood have in common? Molesting children & being male-only. They need some women in there, see if that helps.

I can't stand it. Leave the kids alone, you freaking monsters!!!

[maddezmom]

4. Syracuse Chancellor Nancy Cantor’s email to university community regarding Fine allegations

~snip~

Last night, we were contacted by an ESPN television reporter regarding allegations dating back to the 1980’s and 1990’s that Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bernie Fine had engaged in inappropriate behavior with a minor, now 39. Following the terrible news that came out of Penn State in the last several weeks, this is clearly distressing to all of us in the Syracuse University community. The news is already being covered widely by the media.

I want to tell you what we know and what we are doing about it.

First, as has been announced, Bernie Fine has been placed on administrative leave pending a new investigation by the Syracuse Police Department. He has vehemently denied the allegations and should be accorded a fair opportunity to defend himself against these accusations.

As we have communicated publicly in response to media inquiries, in 2005, Syracuse University was contacted by an adult male who asserted that he had reported allegations in 2005 of abuse in the 1980’s and 1990’s to the police. That same individual told us that the Syracuse City Police had declined to pursue the matter because the statute of limitations had expired.

On hearing of the allegations, the University immediately launched its own comprehensive investigation through its legal counsel. The nearly four-month long investigation included a number of interviews with people the individual said would support his claims. All of those identified by him denied any knowledge of wrongful conduct by the associate coach. At the end of the investigation, as we were unable to find any corroboration of the allegations, the case was closed. Had any evidence or corroboration of earlier allegations surfaced —even if the Police had declined to pursue the matter —we would have acted.

more:http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/syracuse-chancellor-nancy-cantors-email-to-university-community-regarding-fine-allegations/2011/11/18/gIQA05w1XN_story.html