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Bernie Fine Scandal: District Attorney Claims Accuser Changed Story

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said that Zach Tomaselli changed his story about the city where he accused former Syracuse basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine of molesting him (via Syracuse.com).

According to Fitzpatrick, Tomaselli said that the team was playing a road game against Connecticut but changed his story to Pittsburgh after the fact was presented that Syracuse did not play at UConn during the 2001-2002 season.

Tomaselli said that the District Attorney's account is false.

"I was 13 at the time. I had been in the northeast less than three or four months. That was not something I remembered, the specific city. I did once I thought about it," Tomaselli said. "The minute I actually thought about it I knew it was Pittsburgh. One hundred percent."

Minutes later, Tomaselli said, "I don't think I ever told the police it was in Connecticut. I'm 90 percent sure I did not even tell Connecticut to a police dispatcher. That 10 percent, I might have said it was a rivalry game, possibly Connecticut."

Due to the statute of limitations, Tomaselli is the only known accuser of Fine whose allegations could potentially bring a prosecution. Fine was fired in November by Syracuse but has not been charged with a crime.

If you like a rundown of the Bernie Fine case, just visit this StoryStream.