Harris Beach, a Syracuse law firm representing former Syracuse men’s basketball associate head coach Bernie Fine, released a statement Friday in response to the news that the federal investigation into child molestation allegations against Fine ended and no charges will be filed.

The statement, on behalf of Harris Beach attorneys Karl Sleight and Donald Martin, and David Botsford of Botsford and Roark, said they appreciated the public announcement of the decision to close the investigation.

Here is the full statement:

“Although we are not surprised by the decision of United States Attorney for the Northern District  of New York to close the investigation against Bernie Fine without any charges, we greatly appreciate his decision to publicly announce that decision.

“The damage inflicted upon Bernie and his family is simply immeasurable. Bernie deeply appreciates the tremendous outpouring of support from friends, family and the community throughout this difficult time. Bernie hopes and prays that the lesson learned and remembered is that a rush to judgment has irreversible consequences.”