Bernie Fine
/ SUAthletics.com
SYRACUSE -- Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner issued a statement Monday morning regarding the investigation into the allegations against Syracuse University basketball’s Associate Coach Bernie Fine.
Fine has been accused of sexually abusing two children beginning in the 1980’s and has drawn national attention after Fine's accusers gave an interview on ESPN.
Mayor Miner’s statement said:
“As the Syracuse Police Department confirmed Thursday, the Department is in the midst of an active and ongoing investigation into allegations against Syracuse University Associate Basketball Coach Bernie Fine. This investigation commenced after new information was provided to the Department Thursday.
I directed Chief Fowler to allocate as much time and as many resources necessary to conduct a thorough, professional and complete investigation into this case from 2002 to present. The accusers, the accused and the community-at-large deserve and should not expect anything less when such serious and disturbing allegations involving children are brought forward and when the reputations of all involved are at stake.
These allegations have clearly generated significant media and public interest. There are indeed many questions that must still be answered. However, in the best interest of all parties, it is critical for the Police Department to fulfill its responsibility and do its job. With this in mind, the Syracuse Police Department will not be releasing information about the investigation to the media or any other entity in a piecemeal fashion.
Instead, the Syracuse Police Department will complete its investigation and then turn its findings in their entirety over to the appropriate authorities and answer questions about the investigation’s findings at the appropriate time. Any comments about the specifics of the investigation while it is ongoing would be premature and irresponsible.
Community members with information about this case are encouraged to contact the Syracuse Police Department at 315-442-5222. All sex crime allegations can be brought forward confidentially without media attention.”
