A third former Indiana University basketball player has joined a lawsuit accusing team doctor Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr. of sexual abuse, claiming the university failed to protect him and other athletes, NBC News’ Corky Siemaszko reported yesterday.
John Flowers, who played for the Hoosiers from 1981 to 1982, alleges he underwent at least two unnecessary prostate exams by Bomba. The amended federal lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Indiana, adds Flowers to the case initially brought by Haris Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller. It also names longtime men’s basketball trainer Tim Garl as a defendant, alleging he was aware of Bomba’s misconduct.
The lawsuit details Flowers’ experiences, including comments from teammates who joked about enduring Bomba’s “test” and remarks from Garl, who allegedly made light of the invasive exams. Flowers stated he was standing up for his former teammates and others to seek justice. The attorney representing the plaintiffs contends that Bomba’s abusive behavior may have affected over 100 male athletes and that university leadership should have been aware of it.
Indiana University has hired a private law firm for an independent review but has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. Bomba, who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a deposition last month when questioned about the alleged misconduct and his close relationship with former legendary coach Bobby Knight, who passed away two years ago. Bomba pleaded the fifth when asked whether Knight told him to perform “digital rectal exams on his players.” The lawsuit also notes that Bomba, who played football at the University and served as the basketball team’s doctor from 1962 to 1970, and from 1979 until the late 1990s, was nicknamed “Frankenstein” by players due to his large hands and fingers.
The plaintiffs are suing under Title IX, a federal law requiring educational institutions receiving federal funds to safeguard students from sexual predators. The lawsuit alleges that Bomba’s actions were widely discussed among players and staff, highlighting a culture that allowed abuse to persist. IU has pledged to act in accordance with its values as the investigation continues.
As for why Bomba is not named as a defendant in the class-action lawsuit, a few possible reasons include: 1) The statute of limitations might have expired for civil claims against him, leading plaintiffs to focus on holding Indiana University and its officials accountable for systemic negligence; 2) Targeting the institution and key figures, such as trainer Tim Garl, may increase the chances of broader accountability and a larger settlement; 3) Bomba’s advanced age and limited resources may make pursuing him less practical; 4) His invocation of Fifth Amendment rights during depositions suggests legal complexities that could complicate the case.
