Abuse Victims Organizations Call for DA to Convene a Grand Jury to Investigate Fine, by Robert A. Baker, The Post-Standard, December 8, 2011

Abuse Victims" Organizations Call for DA to Convene a Grand Jury to Investigate Fine

By Robert A. Baker
The Post-Standard
December 8, 2011

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/abuse_victims_organizations_ca.html

Syracuse, NY -- Members of organizations that assist victims of child sexual abuse this morning called on Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick to convene a grand jury with an independent prosecutor to investigate "other crimes" of former associate SU basketball coach Bernie Fine.

The Rev. Robert M. Hoatson, of Road to Recovery Inc., said the groups were glad that Fitzpatrick said that accusations of sexual abuse by Bobby Davis and Michael Lang were credible. However, Hoatson said, the DA discounted the two other victims.

Hoatson made the call for an independent prosecutor at a news conference this morning at an entrance to the SU campus near Marshall Street.

Hoatson said he knows the identity of victim number 4, but said he has not received permission to reveal any identifying information about him. Hoatson said the victim's ex-girlfriend has a lot of information of the victim's contact with Fine. The abuse, Hoatson said, occurred quite awhile ago. Victim number 4 was not an SU ball boy and the abuse he allegedly suffered predates the time Fine was employed with Syracuse University.

Hoatson also asked the DA to rethink the allegations of victim number 4 and that the DA should not consider Zack Tomaselli's conduct as an adult, but to concentrate on the allegations.

Dick Regan of Hammondsport, N.Y., holds a sign during a news conference near Syracuse Univeristy, held by Road to Recovery Inc, a child abuse victim advocacy group. The group wants to eliminate the statute of limitations law in New York.

Hoatson also called on SU basketball coach Jim Boeheim to give a written apology to the victims, acknowledging the ball boys were part of his staff and to note that he was sorry he did not believe their allegations.

Richard Tollner, of the New York Coalition to Protect Children, called on New Yorkers to urge their legislators to pass the Markey Bill, which he said would extend the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse and expand those who must report allegations of child sexual abuse to include churches, sports leagues and others.