1 of ex-Syracuse assistant's accusers admits lying

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - A prison inmate who accused a former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach of sexually molesting him more than 40 years ago admits he made up the claim.

The accuser, Floyd VanHooser, says in a letter that he lied to police and in December interviews with The Associated Press and The Post-Standard newspaper of Syracuse. He says he wanted to get back at the coach, Bernie Fine, because he did not hire a lawyer to help VanHooser fight a criminal conviction.

Fine had helped raise the 56-year-old VanHooser.

Two other men accused Fine late last year of abusing them as children, but the statute of limitations has expired. Fine was fired after they came forward.

The newspaper received two copies of the letter Thursday.