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Third Man Says Syracuse Coach Molested Him

But accuser himself is facing child abuse charges

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 27, 2011 2:13 PM CST

(Newser) – A third accuser has emerged in the Bernie Fine sexual abuse case—and unlike the first two, this one may be able to prosecute, the Syracuse Post-Standard reports. Zach Tomaselli, 23, tells police that the Syracuse University assistant basketball coach molested him 9 years ago in a Pittsburgh hotel room. Tomaselli, then only 13, says Fine invited him on the road to see a ballgame after the two met through Tomaselli's dad.

Tomaselli's case may be prosecutable because it occurred within the 10-year statute of limitations for interstate sexual abuse cases. One possible hurdle: Tomaselli himself is up on charges of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy. Two more hurdles: His estranged father says Tomaselli is a liar who has concocted the Fine story, and Tomaselli has no eye-witnesses or physical evidence. So why step forward? “I wanted to announce this to encourage all sex abuse victims to come forward as tough as it is because we can stop other kids from this abuse,” Tomaselli wrote on Facebook.

Assistant coach Bernie Fine of the Syracuse Orange looks on from the sidelines during a basketball game at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009, in New York City.
Assistant coach Bernie Fine of the Syracuse Orange looks on from the sidelines during a basketball game at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009, in New York City.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
flameforjustice
Nov 27, 2011 3:57 PM CST
It's good you came forward and I hope you can prosecute and win against the coach Bernie Fine for molesting you. In return I hope you admit your guilt to the crime you are charged with to save the victim(s) anymore added trauma to what you have done to that victim already. You're in a position to see both sides,so do what is right for your victim as you would want as a victim done for you in a court of law;which is hopefully the right thing for all the child victims involved in these vile,depraved criminal acts.
JudyBlock-Jones
Nov 27, 2011 2:31 PM CST
These victims are extremely brave and to be commended for taking action to expose the truth. This is not an easy thing to do, but keep in mind your silence only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others.   Child predators and those who cover up their crimes need to be held accountable so that this abuse gets stopped.   Child predators rarely have only one victim. Often they have many, so silence is not an option because children are still at risk. Lets hope that others, who have witnessed, suspected or may have been harmed by Bernie Fine, will find the courage and strength to speak up, and contact law enforcement. Do not report your abuse to the university officials, the police are the proper officials to investigate sex crimes against kids.   Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA 636-433-2511 snapjudy@gmail.com "Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests" and all clergy. http://www.snapnetwork.org/

 
child abuse • child rape • sex abuse • sexual molestation • Syracuse University • Bernie Fine

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