SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Federal authorities have dropped their investigation into sexual abuse claims that cost a Syracuse University assistant basketball coach his job, threw a top-ranked team into turmoil and threatened the career of Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim.
After a probe spanning nearly a year, U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian said Friday that there was no evidence to support claims that Bernie Fine had molested a boy in 2002 in a Pittsburgh hotel room.
“The nature and seriousness of these allegations, which involved conduct typically committed in private with individuals who are reluctant to come forward, warranted a thorough federal investigation,” Hartunian said.
Fine’s lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment. It wasn’t clear yet whether Fine, 66, could get his job back.