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Bill Conlin, Sports Columnist, Dies At 79

By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hall of Fame sports columnist Bill Conlin, who resigned from the Daily News two years ago amid allegations he sexually abused children, has died.

Bill Conlin died Wednesday at a Florida hospital. Conlin's Hall of Fame career as a Philadelphia Daily News columnist came to an abrupt end in December 2011 when four relatives accused him of sexually molesting them in the 1970s when they were children (See Related Story).

"When the allegations came out, unfortunately he never got the opportunity to prove his innocence. But he was devastated and unfortunately I'm sure he went to his grave with a heavy heart," his attorney George Bochetto said.

Prosecutors in Gloucester County said no charges could be filed against Conlin because of the statute of limitations. Bill Conlin was 79.

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