A lawsuit accusing Bernie Fine, former Syracuse University associate head men’s basketball coach, of sexually abusing then 13-year-old Zach Tomaselli in a hotel was filed by Tomaselli Thursday in Pittsburgh.

Tomaselli now 23, of Lewiston, Maine, is the third man to publicly accuse Fine of sexual abuse. He claims Fine molested him in 2002, when they traveled to Pittsburgh for a Syracuse game.

Fine, who was fired from the university Nov. 27, has not been criminally charged and denies the allegations. Two other men, Bobby Davis, 39, and his stepbrother, Mike Lang, 45, both accused Fine of molesting them in the 1980s and ‘90s when they were ball boys. A fourth accuser has also come forth, but not publicly.

Fine’s home in DeWitt was searched Nov. 25 and his Manley Field House office searched Nov. 30.

Tomaselli, who is facing sexual assault charges of his own, said that he would plead guilty to sexually abusing a then 13-year-old boy.

In a statement signed on Wednesday, Tomaselli said he is suing Fine to prevent more boys from being abused. He also said he is getting help, according to the statement.

Tomaselli said in the statement: ‘I am taking this action to support the other men that have gone public and to do everything I can to protect other kids from harm by Bernie Fine and powerful men like him.’

snbouvia@syr.edu

Published on December 8, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephanie: snbouvia@syr.edu | @snbouvia