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Two sides unable to resolve Boeheim defamation case through mediation

Despite more than two months of talks, the defamation case against Syracuse University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim could not be resolved through mediation, according to a document recently filed in the case.

In a letter sent to the judge in the case on Thursday, Mariann Wang, a lawyer for the two former ball boys suing Boeheim and SU, said the two sides were unable to resolve the matter. On Dec. 30, 2014, the two sides asked to extend the talks until Friday and a lawyer for SU wrote that she was “optimistic” there would be a resolution.

The defamation case will now move forward with the discovery period, which had been suspended since mediation started on Nov. 5, 2014. The two sides will also meet with the judge in the case in January to discuss the next stage of the lawsuit, according to the letter.

Wang’s letter also indicates that third-party subpoenas have been issued to Bond, Schoeneck and King PLLC, the law firm that conducted the 2005 investigation into the sexual abuse allegations, and to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, the law firm that conducted the 2012 review of the 2005 investigation. These subpoenas must be answered by Jan. 20, according to the letter.

Former Syracuse ball boys Bobby Davis and Mike Lang sued SU and Boeheim in December 2011 for defamation over his comments that the two were liars who were out to get money. New York state’s high court reversed two previous decisions throwing out the lawsuit on Oct. 21.



The two men allege they were sexually abused by Bernie Fine, a former associate head men’s basketball coach. SU fired Fine on Nov. 27, 2011. He has denied all wrongdoing and was not charged following an almost yearlong federal investigation.





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