Two former Indiana University basketball players filed a class action lawsuit against the university Tuesday, saying IU mishandled their complaints of sexual misconduct against Dr. Brad Bomba, Sr.
Haris Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The lawsuit alleges they were subjected to “routine systematic sexual assault and sex-based harassment under the guise of medical care,” including “abrasive, invasive, and abusive digital rectal exams.”
Bomba took the role as the IU men’s basketball team doctor in 1979 and continued the job for about 30 years.
In September, Mujezinovic and his lawyer notified IU of his complaint. He was unnamed at the time. Mujezinovic accused Bomba of “inappropriate prostate and rectal exams during annual physicals,” which prompted IU’s investigation.
The lawsuit alleges IU administrators had knowledge of “repeated sexual assaults” and “systematically mishandled” complaints against Bomba. It claims IU violated Title IX by acting with indifference to knowledge of Bomba’s behavior.
“IU failed to take effective preventative measures and allowed repeated harm to students, including Plaintiffs, endorsing and perpetuating a culture of deliberate indifference and tacit acceptance of Dr. Bomba, Sr.’s sexual misconduct,” the lawsuit said.
The plaintiffs demand a jury trial, and they’re seeking monetary relief for damages. The players are represented by DeLaney & DeLaney LLC, based out of Indianapolis.
Mujezinovic played for the Hoosiers from 1995-97. Miller played from 1994-98. Both went on to play professionally abroad. Miller founded a basketball academy and lives in Texas. Mujezinovic built a construction business in Bloomington.
An IU spokesperson referred to a September statement.
IU retained international law firm Jones Day to conduct an independent review after Mujezinovic’s September notice.
In its statement, IU said: “To be clear, this is a fully independent and comprehensive investigation that will follow the facts. Indiana University will abide by its findings and take any warranted actions. To protect the integrity of the investigation, the institution will refrain from further comment while the review is ongoing.”