GENEVA, N.Y. (AP) — The wife of a fired Syracuse University assistant basketball coach claims ESPN trampled her reputation by broadcasting salacious and false stories about molestation claims against her husband.
A lawyer for Laurie Fine says she will file a libel lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against the sports network and two employees. ESPN in November broke the story of two former Syracuse ball boys who claimed they were molested by coach Bernie Fine decades ago.
Bernie Fine has denied wrongdoing. He hasn’t been charged because of the statute of limitations.
Laurie Fine claims ESPN rushed to capitalize on the unfolding Penn State University sex-abuse scandal and overlooked doubts about the ball boys’ credibility.
An ESPN spokesman says the Bristol, Conn.-based network hasn’t reviewed the lawsuit but stands by its reporting.
