Syracuse scandal costs Fine his job

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WIVB) - The last couple weeks has really put a dark cloud over the beginning of the college basketball season. After nearly a week of controversy, a secretly recorded tape by one of the alleged victims has cost Bernie Fine his job.

Bernie Fine was fired after ESPN released a phone conversation from 2002. It’s between Bernie’s wide Laurie and one of Fine’s accusers, Bobby Davis, who secretly recorded the conversation.

In the conversation, Laurie Fine admits to knowing about the alleged abuse. Another victim has also come forward, 23-year-old Zach Tomaselli. Tomaselli has trouble of his own, he is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in Maine.

Tomaselli claims Fine molested him in a Pittsburgh hotel when he was 13, but his own father calls him a liar.

“Never brought him to a game in Pittsburgh or let him go to a game in Pittsburgh. So, it's all fabricated,” said Tomaselli’s father.

While many SU fans say they’ve been skeptical of Davis’ claims, they say everything that’s happened over the weekend has changed their opinion.

SU Fan Kaetlynn Roach said, “"Yeah it's crazy, I honestly didn't believe it at first. No, but I can’t believe they actually fired him, that’s insane.”

ESPN has posted the audio tape between Davis and Fine’s wife.

So far no charges have been filed against Fine. But, Head Coach Jim Boheim has backed off his earlier statement supporting Fine, saying the university took the appropriate steps in firing Fine.