Tomaselli drops case against Fine

After a tumultuous 48 hours, Zach Tomaselli has asked the Syracuse Police Department to stop the Bernie Fine investigation on his behalf.

Tomaselli's accusations against Fine were first made public on November 31. That statement alleged that Fine had molested him the night before a Syracuse game against the University of Pittsburgh in the team's hotel room before the game. The game in question was played on Jan. 22, 2002.

On Thursday, however, fifth-term Onondaga County District Attorney, William Fitzpatrick revealed that when authorities first interviewed Tomaselli he was unclear in regard to Syracuse had played the day after the alleged incident, speculating that it was a rival, possibly UConn. Tomaselli claims that a friend later reminded him that he went to a Pittsburgh game instead, resulting in the public accusation.

Tomaselli then filed a civil suit against Fine on Dec. 8 in the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas. That suit is also being dropped according to a statement given to the Syracuse Post-Standard by Tomaselli's lawyer, Jeff Anderson.

He also told the Daily Orange as well as the Post-Standard that he falsified emails and lied to members of the media in attempts to gain traction for his allegations. He still maintains the accusations. In a text message sent to The Post-Standard he wrote, "But he did do it. Im not lying."

Phone calls to both Fitzpatrick's office and Fine's attorney, Karl Sleight, were not returned.

In February, Tomaselli faces sentencing for sexually abusing a Maine teenager. Said Tomaselli, "I have a couple weeks left to live. I want to be left alone."