The Syracuse Police Department will not release information as it arises during its investigation into molestation allegations against Syracuse University associate head coach Bernie Fine, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner announced in a five-paragraph press release Monday.

‘Instead, the Syracuse Police Department will complete its investigation and then turn its findings in their entirety over to the appropriate authorities and answer questions about the investigation’s findings at the appropriate time,’ Miner said in the statement.

Miner explained why any new information discovered in the investigation would be published as a whole rather than piece by piece.

‘Any comments about specifics of the investigation while it is ongoing would be premature and irresponsible,’ Miner said.

Police launched an investigation into these accusations Thursday. ESPN published a story stating Bobby Davis, a former Syracuse ball boy, now 39, accused Fine of sexually abusing him from the time he was in seventh grade until he was 27 years old.

Davis approached the Syracuse police in 2003 with the accusation but police said the statute of limitations for any alleged crimes had expired. The university also conducted its own investigation in 2005 after an adult male reported inappropriate conduct by an associate men’s basketball coach to the police department, but that nearly four-month search did not lead to any corroboration of these accusations, Chancellor Nancy Cantor said in a statement.

Davis’ stepbrother, Michael Lang, then came forward to ESPN claiming he was a victim of sexual abuse by Fine, leading the media outlet to move forward with the story last week.

‘These allegations have clearly generated significant media and public interest,’ Miner said in the release. ‘There are indeed many questions that must still be answered. However, in the best interest of all parties, it is critical for the police department to fulfill its responsibility and do its job.’

Miner said she directed Police Chief Frank Fowler to ‘allocate as much time and as many resources necessary to conduct a thorough, professional and complete investigation into this case from 2002 to present.’

And that, she added, is necessary for everyone involved.

‘The accusers, the accused and the community at large deserve and should not expect anything less when such serious and disturbing allegations involving children are brought forward and when the reputations of all involved are at stake,’ Miner said.

The statement concluded by encouraging any community members with information to contact the police department at 315-442-5222 and added that all sex crime allegations could be brought forward confidentially without media attention.

zjbrown@syr.edu

Published on November 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm