In an anticipated move from day one, ESPN has filed a motion to dismiss Laurie Fine’s lawsuit against them according to The Syracuse Post-Standard.
ESPN argues its reporting was fair, accurate and privileged since most of what Laurie Fine alleges as libel was reported in an affidavit by original Fine accuser Bobby Davis and in court proceedings earlier this year. The motion is scheduled to be heard by Senior Judge Lawrence E. Kahn on Sept. 7 in Albany.
It appears on the surface that this would be a very hard case to prove, much like the lawsuit from Bobby Davis against Jim Boeheim that was dismissed earlier this year. Fine would have to prove that false information were reported about her, including allegations that she slept with Syracuse players and that she knowingly allowed child molestation to occur in her home. She also needs to be found to be a public figure, and must prove that ESPN reported the information with malice intent.
There is no word on when a ruling will be made. Bernie Fine is still under investigation and has not been charged along with denying wrongdoing.
I am a graduate of Onondaga Community College and SUNY Oswego with degrees in Electronic Media Communications and Broadcasting. My Syracuse roots go all the way back to the early 19th century, where my great grandfather Edmund Dollard coached the Syracuse Men's Basketball team to the 1918 Helms Foundation National Championship. Prior to joining the FanSided sports network, I co-founded The Saltine Warriors sports blog and ran it for five years. I am now the editor of InsideTheLoudHouse.com.
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