Syracuse’s Fine drops lawsuit against ESPN
Former Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine is dropping his defamation lawsuit against ESPN, his lawyers said Tuesday.
Fine sued over broadcasts aired by ESPN with claims by two former ball boys that Fine molested them more than two decades ago. Fine was fired in November 2011, days after the broadcasts.
The 67-year-old Fine was investigated by federal prosecutors and never charged and has maintained his innocence.
William Albert, spokesman for the Harris Beach law firm, said Fine voluntarily filed notice of dismissal Tuesday although both he and his attorneys believe his legal claim has merit.
“Mr. Fine desires to finally put all of the turmoil of the past year and a half behind him, so that he may concentrate on his future as well as the future of his family,” Albert said. He added that Fine has been overwhelmed by the many friends who stood by him.
An ESPN spokesman said Tuesday’s withdrawal was not the result of a settlement but declined to comment further. “Given the continued pendency of the Laurie Fine matter, which we will continue to defend vigorously, we will not discuss litigation,” Josh Krulewitz said.
The ex-coach’s wife, Laurie Fine, has a separate defamation suit against ESPN pending in federal court. It was filed in May 2012, with trial tentatively set for November 2014.
After a probe spanning nearly a year, federal authorities dropped their investigation into one of the sexual abuse claims against Fine, saying there was not enough evidence to support a claim that Fine had molested a boy in a Pittsburgh hotel room in 2002.
Ohio State promotes coaches: Ohio State has promoted Greg Paulus to assistant men’s basketball coach and has hired Jake Diebler to take his spot as video coordinator. Head coach Thad Matta announced the changes.
Paulus, video coordinator for the past two years, is a former Duke player who fills the vacancy from when Chris Jent left to become an assistant with the Sacramento Kings last month.
Diebler, the older brother of former Ohio State guard Jon Diebler, spent the past two years as an assistant at his alma mater, Valparaiso. He is a former player for the Crusaders.
Kicker arrested on BUI charge: Georgia sophomore kicker Marshall Morgan is facing a possible suspension following his arrest for boating under the influence.
According to Putnam County Sherriff’s Chief Deputy Russell Blenk, Morgan was arrested Saturday night on Lake Sinclair by a Georgia Department of Natural Resources officer. Morgan was charged with operating a watercraft under the influence and towing a skier without a life preserver on board.
Blenk says Morgan was released Saturday at 10:35 p.m. on $1,724 bond.