Editorial : City infighting embarrassing, distracting

The internal bickering within the Syracuse city government as a result of the Bernie Fine investigation is both distracting and discouraging.

The investigation into molestation allegations against Fine, former men’s basketball associate head coach at Syracuse University, launched the city and university into the national media spotlight. Revelations that one of the accusers went to the Syracuse police in 2002 with his accusations have also prompted skepticism about the department’s decision not to investigate the first time around.

The Onondaga district attorney publicly criticized the Syracuse Police Department for not informing the DA about the accusation in 2002. The DA also publicly chastised the police department for not speedily turning over the documents about the case. The two departments were scheduled to settle the matter in court, but the police eventually turned the documents over on Tuesday.

The bickering between city officials distracts from an already complicated and delicate investigation. Everyone paid to uphold justice should be working solely for that purpose rather than using this as an excuse to air inter-department frustrations. With that said, the public wrangling holds officials accountable to some degree, but that confrontation has a place after this case is settled.

Allegations of molestation against a respected public figure already demoralized the community. Why should we also be faced with the embarrassing prospect of a petty — or worse, bungling — local government.