Former ball boys want NY top court to reinstate slander suit against Syracuse basketball coach

Published February 05, 2015

Two former Syracuse University ball boys are urging New York's highest court to reinstate their slander lawsuit against basketball head coach Jim Boeheim (BAY'-hym).

Bobby Davis and Mike Lang say Boeheim slandered them in 2011 by calling them liars out for money when they accused his longtime assistant coach Bernie Fine of molesting them as children.

A judge dismissed the suit last year, ruling Boeheim's comments were not assertions of fact but opinions protected from defamation lawsuits. A divided midlevel court affirmed that ruling.

Fine has denied the allegations and never faced criminal charges.

The men's attorney says Boeheim accused her clients of extortion, using inaccurate and distorted supporting facts.

Boeheim's attorney counters that he expressed opinions in defending his friend and himself.

A ruling is expected next month.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/former-ball-boys-want-ny-top-court-to-reinstate-slander-suit-against-syracuse-basketball-coach