Syracuse, N.Y. - Syracuse's Police Chief released a lengthy statement Tuesday on his department's past review and current investigation into former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine.
Chief Frank Fowler said the police department was contacted in 2002 by Danielle Roach and Roach claimed that Fine sexually abused one of her friends over several years.
Fowler said the alleged victim in Utah called a Syracuse police detective about a month later claiming Fine sexually abused him in Fine's home.
Police told the man that the statute of limitations had expired.
The detective and his supervisor told the man that unless he met with them in person or was able to provide names of other alleged victims, then they would not open a police investigation.
Fowler said the first time police met with two alleged victims in person regarding Fine was November 17, 2011.
That's when police opened their own investigation and to see if there were more victims.
Fowler said ESPN and the Post Standard, which both investigated these accusations in 2003, never told police eight years ago about what they learned.
"I was not the Chief in 2002 and I cannot change the procedures in place at that time or the way this matter was then handled," said Chief Fowler. "But what I can and will do as Chief today is ensure that moving forward all reports of sexual abuse are formally documented."
Fowler has ordered all Syracuse Police Department policies and procedures documenting sexual abuse allegations made over the phone be reviewed and that changes be made as needed.
Police are working with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Secret Service, and Onondaga County District Attorney.
Syracuse University plays its first home game Tuesday night since Fine was fired.
Chancellor Nancy Cantor maintains her support for head coach Jim Boeheim.
After a conference with state officials today, Cantor said: "He is our coach. We're very pleased with what he said
Sunday night, and we stand by him."
Boeheim initially said that Fine's first two accusers were lying to make money after the Penn State sexual abuse scandal.
But Sunday night Boeheim backed off his original comments.
"What is most important is that this matter be fully
investigated and that anyone with information be supported to come
forward so that the truth can be found," Boeheim said after Fine was fired.
"I deeply regret any statements I made that might have
inhibited that from occurring or been insensitive to victims of
abuse."
Bobby Davis, now 39, told ESPN in 2003 that Fine molested him beginning in
1984 and that the sexual contact continued until he was around 27.
Davis was a ball boy for the basketball team for six years.
He said the abuse happened at Fine's home, on road trips, and at Syracuse basketball facilities.
His stepbrother, Mike Lang, also told ESPN that Fine began molesting him while he was in fifth or sixth grade.
Lang was also a ball boy for Syracuse University.
Then on Sunday, Zach Tomaselli, said Fine also molested him in 2002 in a Pittsburgh hotel room.
In an unrelated case, Tomaselli faces sexual assault charges in Maine involving a 14-year-old boy.
Fine has denied the allegations and said in his original statement last week that the accusations were "patently false".
