John O'Brien / The Post-Standard
About Me:
I'm a reporter on the enterprise desk of The Post-Standard. I've worked for the newspaper for 22 years -- many of them covering courts. You can reach me at 315-470-2187 or jobrien@syracuse.com.All Activity by John O'Brien / The Post-Standard RSS
Laurie Fine files longer libel suit against ESPN
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 21, 2012, 6:11PM
Additional information added to suit based on ESPN's release of full 47-minute recorded phone conversation between Fine and Bobby Davis. Full story »
Laurie Fine's lawyer: 2002 taped phone call supports her planned libel suit
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 17, 2012, 4:58PM
ESPN releases the full 47-minute call between Fine and Bobby Davis Full story »
Mike Lang speaks: Glad he lost slander suit vs. Boeheim, details favors he sought from Bernie Fine
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 17, 2012, 12:30AM
Former ball boy maintains he was abused by former assistant coach Bernie Fine: "We were trying to stop this (expletive) from going on with kids. That's all we wanted." Full story »
After 6 months of silence, Laurie Fine lashes out at ESPN
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 16, 2012, 5:33PM
But the wife of fired Syracuse University coach Bernie Fine, and her lawyer, do not specifically answer questions about a secretly recorded 2002 phone conversation she had about allegations her husband sexually abused a child. Full story »
Laurie Fine accuses ESPN of falsely painting her as a monster
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 16, 2012, 11:48AM
The wife of fired Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine "can't even go to Wegmans," her lawyer says. Full story »
Laurie Fine to sue ESPN for libel, says the network "spitefully destroyed" her reputation
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 16, 2012, 8:00AM
The wife of fired Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine plans to sue over ESPN's coverage of child molestation allegations against her husband. Full story »
Laurie Fine's expected lawsuit could target the media, experts say
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 15, 2012, 5:05PM
Legal experts outline the possible hurdles facing the wife of fired Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine. Full story »
Laurie Fine prepares to speak out against accusers, lawyer says
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 14, 2012, 3:11PM
The wife of fired Syracuse University associate head basketball coach Bernie Fine will make an announcement on Wednesday. Full story »
Lawyers for Bernie Fine's accusers vow to appeal decision dismissing slander lawsuit
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 11, 2012, 7:42PM
A state judge ruled that comments made by Syracuse University basketball coach Jim Boeheim in defense of Fine are opinions that are protected from defamation claims. Full story »
Judge dumps slander suit against Boeheim, Syracuse University; Fine's accusers to appeal
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 11, 2012, 3:55PM
Judge rules coach's comments about Bernie Fine's accusers were opinion and protected speech. Lawyer counters: "This decision sends the message that you can attack the alleged victim." Full story »
Auburn firm accused of copyright infringements over mannequins
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 07, 2012, 7:38AM
In response to the accusations, RPM Displays sued and wants the court to declare the Australian company's copyright as invalid. Full story »
Federal officials use anti-racketeering law to charge 11 members of V-NOT gang on Syracuse's South Side
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on May 02, 2012, 2:02AM
Authorities say gang members used violence, including the killing of Kihary Blue, to control the drug trade. Full story »
Former prison guard wins $650,000 from New York state in sexual harassment suit
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 30, 2012, 2:01AM
Penny Collins, who worked at the state prison in Auburn, complained that male corrections officers created a hostile work environment for her. Full story »
After hearing arguments, judge will decide at a later date if slander lawsuit against Jim Boeheim proceeds
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 27, 2012, 3:31PM
State Supreme Court Justice Brian DeJoseph said he expects to make a decision in two weeks. Full story »
Head of $2 million cocaine ring imprisoned for 17 years
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 26, 2012, 8:44AM
Jimmie Henry, 42, of Los Angeles, was the head of the cocaine-by-mail conspiracy that operated from 2005 through August 2008, according to federal prosecutors. Full story »
State investigation faults Onondaga County jailers for death of inmate
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 24, 2012, 3:16PM
Raul Pinet, Jr. died in custody on Aug. 6, 2010. Full story »
Boeheim's lawyers: Allred's other slander case shows comments are permissible
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 24, 2012, 12:10PM
In a Downstate case, lawyer Gloria Allred - who is defending Bernie Fine's accuser in slander suit - successfully defended the right to make "hyperbolic" comments. Full story »
Canastota man charged with selling methamphetamine
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 19, 2012, 4:35PM
A Canastota man was arrested today on charges of selling methamphetamine, federal prosecutors said. Casey L. Spadter, 29, was charged with selling the drug, possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it was to be used to make meth, possession of meth-making equipment, and conspiracy, according a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Spadter would face up to 30 years in... Full story »
Auburn postal worker admits workers' comp fraud
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 19, 2012, 11:27AM
Daniel Markel, a letter carrier in Auburn, faces up to a year in jail and a $100,000 fine when U.S. Magistrate David Peebles sentences him Aug. 14. Full story »
Bernie Fine supporters question credibility of accuser Mike Lang
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 17, 2012, 4:14PM
Listen to recording of 2002 interview with Mike Lang in which he denies being molested by the former Syracuse University coach. Full story »
Bernie Fine's accusers ask judge to let their slander suit against Jim Boeheim go forward
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 12, 2012, 10:45AM
Attorneys for Bobby Davis and Mike Lang say the two former ball boys were harmed when Boeheim called them liars. Full story »
Woman's abdomen catches fire during C-section, as surgical tool ignites antiseptic
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on April 01, 2012, 2:46AM
Child is unhurt, but burned mother alleges doctor and hospital used skin preparation fluid improperly. Full story »
Jail deputies' reverse-discrimination suit tossed
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on March 30, 2012, 2:01PM
A federal judge today threw out a race discrimination lawsuit against Onondaga County filed by five white jail deputies six years ago. U.S. District Judge Norman Mordue dismissed the lawsuit in which the deputies claimed black deputies had accused them of being members of a racist skinhead organization. The five white deputies had shaved their heads in August 2005 to... Full story »
Father pleads not guilty in 2007 abduction of daughter
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on March 28, 2012, 3:35PM
A Clay man was back in Central New York today for a court appearance on charges of abducting his daughter five years ago and fleeing with her to Europe. Full story »
Inmate's widow sues Onondaga County over 2010 jail death
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on March 23, 2012, 2:31PM
The widow of an inmate who died at the Onondaga County Justice Center jail two years ago claims sheriff's deputies caused his death by restraining him facedown as he was being booked. Tashara Pinet sued the county and the sheriff’s office in federal court over the Aug. 6, 2010, death of her husband, Raul Pinet Jr. He died shortly after... Full story »
Update: Two motorcycle riders killed after pickup pulls in their path, Oswego County deputies say
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on March 18, 2012, 8:38PM
The crash happened around 2 p.m. at Route 49 and Whig Hill Road. Full story »
Boeheim's comments about Bernie Fine's accusers were constitutionally protected opinions, lawyers contend
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on March 13, 2012, 5:51PM
Lawyers cite Boeheim's "well-known reputation for bluntly expressing himself" in court documents seeking dismissal of the case. Full story »
Agents raid Lewis County farmhouse where they say phony green card mill operated
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on March 07, 2012, 1:40PM
At least 40 undocumented immigrants paid a North Country man $250 apiece for a fake Social Security document and a fake green card, law enforcement authorities say. Full story »
Bernie Fine accusers Bobby Davis, Mike Lang push Albany bill to help child sex abuse victims
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on February 28, 2012, 4:45PM
The former Syracuse University ball boys, who allege they were molested as children by the fired SU basketball coach, back a bill that would extend the statute of limitations in criminal and civil cases involving child sexual abuse. Full story »
District Attorney William Fitzpatrick did not launch investigations into crashes when his son, prosecutor left the scenes
Posted on News from The Post-Standard on February 16, 2012, 8:10PM
But Onondaga County's district attorney defends using grand jury to investigate a fender bender involving police Chief Frank Fowler's son. Full story »
