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Bernie Fine Allegations: Syracuse Basketball Ball Boy Claims He Was Molested For 12 Years

Syracuse Orange assistant head coach Bernie Fine has been accused of molesting a ball boy for more than a dozen years, beginning in 1983.

According to ESPN, Syracuse police are in the early stages of their investigation.

The alleged victim is Bobby Davis, now 39. Davis has told ESPN's Outside the Lines that Fine first molested him in 1983 as Davis was entering the seventh grade. Davis became the Syracuse ball boy in 1984 and subsequent abuses occurred in Fine's home, at the Syracuse basketball facilities and during road games, including the 1987 Final Four.

A relative of Davis’ has also told Outside The Lines that he was molested by Fine around the same time.

According to Davis, Jim Boeheim was never notified of the abuse. However, he was aware of Davis’ presence with Fine:

Davis said he was Fine’s constant companion at all those places. He said that Boeheim would come into Fine’s room, and see Davis lying on the Fine’s bed, but never asked him any questions.

Davis says he originally reported the alleged abuse to Syracuse police in 2003 but was told the statute of limitations had run out. Outside The Lines investigated the story at the time, as well, but did not proceed when they were unable to find further victims willing to speak.

At the time of the investigation, the Syracuse police chief was former Syracuse basketball player Dennis Duval. He played under Boeheim and Fine.

For more on these developments, visit Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician.

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