Federal authorities are taking the lead in investigating child sex-abuse allegations against former Syracuse University associate men’s basketball coach Bernie Fine, with the Onondaga County district attorney’s office cooperating in the inquiry.
The Secret Service, which is usually associated with the protection of presidents and the pursuit of money-counterfeiters, is leading the investigation under the direction of Richard S. Hartunian, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said on Monday, according to a report in The Syracuse Post-Standard.
“The involvement of the Secret Service indicates there is an element of the case dealing with computers,” The New York Times reported. Columbia University law professor Daniel C. Richman told The Times that a recent emphasis on prosecuting child pornography and exploitation has moved the agency to offer help to local investigations that might involve those issues. The agency also has expertise in computer forensics, which could explain the removal of a computer from Fine’s house, The Times said.
Fine, 65, was fired by the university over the weekend. Three young men have accused him of molesting them years ago. But Fine has not been charged, and he has denied the accusations.
One facet of the investigation concerns whether the incidents in question occurred too long ago to be prosecuted, Fitzpatrick told the Post-Standard. “The U.S. Attorney is, as I am, interested in finding out if there are any prosecutable victims,” Fitzpatrick said.
The Secret Service, Syracuse Police and New York State Police searched Fine’s home on Friday, removing some pictures and filing cabinets. They also looked through his trash.
