State Charges Dropped Against Former Syracuse University Coach

Charges have been dropped against former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach, Bernie Fine. New York District states the sexual misconduct charges were dropped because of the statute of limitations has expired.

However, the federal investigation against Bernie Fine will continue.

Fox News reports:

The Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said in a press conference on Wednesday that the statute of limitations has long passed, but he believes the allegations made by Bobby Davis and stepbrother Michael Lang were strong enough for a trial.

“But for the obvious problem of the statute of limitations, their allegations would have resulted in the arrest of Bernie Fine, at least for the misdemeanor charge of sexual abuse in the third degree,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Bobby, I’m sorry it took so long. I wish I had met you as a prosecutor back in 2002. More importantly, I wish I had met you as a prosecutor back in the 1980s. We wouldn’t be here today,” Fitzpatrick said during the conference. “Someday your kids are going to ask you why you did what you did. Why did you subject yourself to this scrutiny? Your answer should be easy. You did it because it was the right thing to do.

“And to Mike Lang, who still feels that he could of done more for his brother: Mike it’s never too late to do the right thing,” he continued.

The district attorney also said an investigation into the claims showed that Davis and Lang were credible on “every single criteria” and said that an initial probe handled by the university was inadequate.

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