Fourth Accuser in Sex Abuse Case Involving Ex-Syracuse Assistant Fine
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A molestation victims' advocate said Tuesday night that "there is a fourth victim" of former Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine whose family has been in contact with the District Attorney's office and police.
The advocate, Rev. Robert Hoatson, said the family of the unidentified man contacted him last week shortly after he appeared in Syracuse and had a press conference about the Fine case, the New York Post reported.
"I was told that there was another victim, a guy who was abused as a teen," said Hoatson, a Catholic priest who runs the advocacy group Road to Recovery. "He was a young teen when it started."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hoatson said he has not spoken to the alleged victim -- who is now a grown man -- and did not know other details of the case, including when or how he first came in contact with Fine. Hoatson had, however, spoken with the man's family four or five times since they made contact.
Hoatson also blasted Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, who initially vehemently backed Fine when the first alleged victims went public last week.
"I think Boeheim should be resigned or fired," said Hoatson.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Earlier, Syracuse University chancellor Nancy Cantor gave Boeheim a vote of confidence amid the investigation into Fine before Boeheim told reporters he did not fear for his job.
"I've never worried about my job status in 36 years," Boeheim said after No. 4 Syracuse's 84-48 win over Eastern Michigan on Tuesday night, where he received a standing ovation as he walked onto the court that bears his name.
Fine had served for 35 years alongside Boeheim -- the longest tenure for an assistant in NCAA Division I -- and Boeheim had been staunch in his support of his colleague, accusing two of the alleged victims of lying and trying to extort money.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But after Fine, 65, was fired Sunday night, Boeheim released a statement saying he regretted his previous "insensitive" comments and supported the university's decision.
On Tuesday he moved to further explain his initial reaction to the allegations against Fine.
"I supported a friend," Boeheim said. "I'm proud that I did. I think if you know somebody and you work with somebody for 36 years and know them for 48 years, I think you owe a debt of allegiance and gratitude for what he did for the program. That's what my reaction was."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He added, "What people do outside the program, I have very little if any control over adults."
Earlier Tuesday, Cantor told reporters, "Coach Boeheim is our coach; he's getting the team ready [Tuesday night]. We're very pleased with what he said Sunday night, and we stand by it."