Allegations of sexual misconduct are affecting Indiana University as three former men's basketball players accuse former team physician Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr. of sexual abuse. Haris Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller, who played for IU in the 1990s, along with a third player known as John Doe, have filed lawsuits claiming the doctor performed invasive procedures under the guise of medical care, including unnecessary digital rectal exams, as stated by FOX59.
The lawsuit claims that the medical team and sports department knew about Bomba Sr.'s misconduct but took no effective measures to stop it. This created a culture of "deliberate indifference and tacit acceptance." Mujezinovic states that the abuses were routine and known but unaddressed by the institution. The nickname "Frankenstein" reflects the serious nature of Bomba Sr.'s alleged actions, as reported by WTHR and FOX59.
Attorney Michelle Simpson Tuegel, who previously represented survivors in the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case, is now representing John Doe in a potential civil claim against IU. She stated that the environment at the school during that time will be crucial to the investigation. Tuegel also emphasized public concerns about whether such exams were medically necessary for healthy, athletic young men, "I've heard the response publicly in the past 24 hours since this has really been public of, well, maybe this was a medically necessary exam and the American Cancer Society and medical providers said for healthy, athletic young men like these, that was not a medically necessary exam," Tuegel told WTHR.
Indiana University has hired the international law firm Jones Day to conduct an independent review of the medical conduct and what university officials knew. This review aims to understand the full scope of the issue. IU has not shared further details to protect the investigation's integrity, according to a spokesperson's statement cited by Indiana Public Media. Mujezinovic and Miller are seeking a jury trial and monetary damages, represented by DeLaney & DeLaney LLC.
