Suit against Boeheim dismissed

• Tweet

SYRACUSE, N.Y., May 11 (UPI) -- A defamation lawsuit filed against Syracuse basketball Coach Jim Boeheim was dismissed by the New York Supreme Court Friday.

The suit was filed by two former Syracuse ball boys who accused assistant Coach Bernie Fine of molesting them during the 1980s and 90s. No charges were filed against Fine and he denied the accusations, but he was fired by the school.

Soon after the two men filed their complaint against Fine, Boeheim said they had done so simply to obtain money. The men, Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, then filed suit against Boeheim and the university -- charging their reputations had been damaged and that they had suffered "lasting emotional harm."

In dismissing the suit, Justice Brian F. DeJoseph said the case failed "as a matter of law." DeJoseph said Boeheim's comments were merely opinions rather than fact.

Boeheim apologized for his remarks soon after making them, but the court case continued.