Metro

Accuser of ex-Syracuse coach Fine sentenced to 39 months in prison

AUBURN, Maine — A Maine man who accused former Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine of molestation was sentenced Wednesday to 39 months in state prison for sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy.

According to the Lewiston Sun Journal, 23-year-old Zachary Tomaselli was given one week to report to Androscoggin County Jail and will serve six years of probation after he is released.

Tomaselli’s sentence was part of an agreement with prosecutors after he pleaded guilty in December to four counts, including gross sexual assault.

Tomaselli met the victim in 2009 at a day camp where he worked. Authorities said the abuse started in Aug. 2009 and occurred again the following summer.

Prosecutors also said Tomaselli tried to convince the victim not to talk to police about the abuse after learning of the investigation.

Tomaselli made national headlines last November when he claimed to have been sexually abused by Fine in 2002. He later dropped a civil lawsuit against Fine, who was not charged, admitting to falsifying emails to bolster his claims.

Fine was fired by Syracuse after being accused of sexually abusing two former team ball boys. The 66-year-old was not charged due to the statute of limitations and has maintained his innocence.