Tomaselli sends email about tearful day and continued claims he was abused
SYRACUSE (AP) -- A new emotional email from the third accuser in the Bernie Fine case criticizes the Post-Standard, the Onondaga County District Attorny and the public who has not believed his allegation that he was a victim of sexual abuse. He dropped his civil lawsuit against the former Syracuse University associate head basketball coach.
The Syracuse Post-Standard is reporting that a Maine man who accused fired Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine of molesting him wants police to end their investigation.
In a text message to the newspaper, the 23-year-old Tomaselli says he plans to ask police to drop the inquiry because he's "sick of this." On Friday evening in the email to CNYCentral Tomaselli denied interest in investigators dropping the case. In fact, he stated in a lengthy email he still has faith the federal investigation will show he was abused.
This is the entire e-mail sent by Tomaselli to anchor/reporter Matt Mulcahy:
"I had no idea how much scrutiny I was going to come under once my story
came out. It has been overwhelming and has worn me down. The lies have
been spewing from people like Fitzpatrick. I am constantly being
questioned. The most important people in this story is the investigators
and they know that there is plenty of coo-berating evidence against
Bernie but that's not being reported because they aren't talking.
Instead, news agencies like the post standard listen to Fitzpatrick who
has never even seen my statements to police. Police have told me
Fitzpatrick is Bernie Fine's friend and should not be trusted. They told
me they have kept him from all information dealing with the case. Yet
when Fitzpatrick tells the post standard inside informations about the
federal investigation, they listen. I was told I was meeting with the
post standard today about the Bernie fine case since I had never met
them in person today. They were the ones who leaked my story when I
preferred to keep it private and never wanted any media to know. The
police told me that the post standard will have to answer for what they
did. to I am on vacation in Houston and they fly down here to meet me
acting like it's urgent. I met the reporter in a hotel room and he
started to question me about emails I sent forwarded them. I did change
two emails to make it look like I had more support than I do, hoping
that it would be reported and that it would cause me to have more
support. I didn't add stuff about evidence that doesn't exist. I didn't
lie about anything Bernie did to me. It is so painful to get hate mail
everyday from people saying I am no better than Bernie anyways so it
doesn't matter what happens. It is so painful to not be able to leave my
house without being called a name. Anyways, I broke down and started
crying and admitted that I did add to those two emails. As soon as I
started crying, a photographer started snapping photos. I felt so
degraded that I have been in tears all day. All they cared about was
having their story. That's when I realized that the mistake I am making
is caring what the post standard and other people think. All that
matters is what my real family and friends think of me and what the
investigators believe. The investigators have overwhelming evidence and
know I am telling the truth. You can take a couple emails I exaggerated
because I'm a human being and wanted supporters and make it into me
being a liar and say I'm lying about a huge federal investigation but
your wrong if you think that. The Feds, my friends, and my family know
the truth. I have a lot of spiritual work to do. I have major flaws and
issues. I am sick of being constantly criticized. I am not dropping the
federal investigation contrary to the post standard's report. I am going
to let the federal investigation speak for itself. I have dropped the
civil lawsuit for now because I know people will say I'm lying for the
money. Bernie fine molested me. Fred Tomaselli molested me. I was at the
Pittsburgh game and that has been proven even if it wasn't announced to
y'all. That's the bottom line. Believe what you want but I could care
less anymore. I'm just going to live my life and what happens, happens.
I hope the post standard feels good about leaking my story, listening to
Fitzpatrick, and pushin me to tears just for their photo of me cryin on
vacation when bernie is arrested and the evidence is revealed. If you
have any questions, let me know but I'm done making statements to y'all.
It's gotten me nowhere. Y'all just seem to want to not listen to
Fitzpatrick and over react every time I sneeze. Not all of you. Ronni,
Matt, and Mike Cohen have been good and I appreciate you guys but the
other media members have ruined it for you.
Zach Tomaselli"
In an interview earlier Friday, Tomaselli told the Post-Standard he altered emails from Syracuse police before forwarding them to the paper in an attempt to bolster his account. But Tomaselli insists he told police the truth about Fine molesting him when he was 13. Two former ballboys also accused Fine of molesting them.
Friday night, SU students on the hill were reacting to the news. Many telling CNY Central that they hope Fine gets a fair and thorough investigation and that they find out the truth. "I just hope there is some justice, I don't really know what that would be but it would be nice if we could get some closure on the whole matter. It would be nice to know what happened," said student Sam Morrison.
Fine has denied the men's allegations.
Of the known claims against Fine, only Tomaselli's case falls within the statute of limitations that could have allowed for federal prosecution.
Tomaselli is expected to be sentenced in February to prison for sexually abusing a teenage boy in Maine.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
