Agents search for evidence in former Syracuse coach’s home

Federal investigators have searched the home and office of former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine, looking for pornographic materials, airline tickets and other possible evidence of his alleged interactions with minors, according to unsealed court documents.

Investigators were instructed to search for “pornographic materials, in any format, including digital or electronic form, that could have been used to sexually arouse or groom young males to engage in sex acts,” according to documents signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Baxter.

The agents seized cell phones, iPads, computers, cameras and more than 100 CDs and DVDs, according to the search warrants, which were among the documents unsealed Monday. Fine’s home was searched November 25, and his office November 29, according to the documents.

Fine, who served as the assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University for 35 years, was fired last month over allegations that he sexually abused boys. He has not been charged with a crime and has maintained his innocence.

Three men have publicly accused Fine of abusing them. Police in Syracuse and Pittsburgh are investigating the allegations and looking for other potential victims, authorities have said.

The investigation at Syracuse comes in the wake of a sex abuse scandal at Penn State University, in which former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was accused of sexually abusing boys over a span of 14 years. A grand jury report, made public last month, detailed 40 charges against Sandusky involving at least eight alleged victims.

The longtime Penn State defensive coordinator has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation – saying he only “horsed around” with the disadvantaged boys in his care – and is currently free on $100,000 bail.