Bergen Coach Sent Sex Texts To Student, Expressed Love: Lawsuit

ORADELL, NJ — Bergen Catholic wrestling coach David Bell is accused of emailing and texting a student seuxally-charged messages and telling him that he loved him, according to a report.

The 12-count lawsuit was filed in state Superior Court in Bergen County on behalf the former wrestler, NorthJersey.com reported this week.

According to the report, head wrestling coach David Bell texted and emailed the student and ex-wrestler that he loved him and made other "highly inappropriate sexual predatory behavior."

The ex-wrestler and his parents allege in the lawsuit that Bergen Catholic President Brother Brian Walsh threw him off the team for complaining about alleged abuse during the past season, according to the report, which cited the lawsuit. The school allegedly performed a "cursory" investigation and did not contact authorities.

According to the lawsuit filed last month, assistant coach Donnie Spataro allegedly showed pornographic and nude photographs of himself and others on his phone to the student and other wrestlers. You can read the lawsuit by clicking here.

Current and former wrestlers spoke of their support of Bell on Twitter after NorthJersey.com's story was published.

"Coach Bell is truly one of the greatest men I’ve ever met, and anyone who has ever encountered him can say the same," said Josh McKenzie. "It is absolutely disgusting to see him get accused of something like this."

Others agreed.

"I absolutely love you and everything you’ve done for me," Jordan Pagano said. "I am not only a better wrestler, but a better man for having you in my life."

Sean Pena, Bell's attorney, issued a statement to NorthJersey.com that "it is not the first time Coach Bell has been baselessly attacked and regrettably it's unlikely to be the last. Pena said: "These allegations are demonstrably false and Coach Bell eagerly awaits the opportunity to be exonerated."

Newark Archdiocese spokesman Jim Goodness Tuesday morning declined to comment about the lawsuit. He said the Archdiocese does not own the school, nor does it have "anything to do with its governance."

The school is owned and operated by the Congregation of Christian Brothers, a worldwide religious community within the Roman Catholic Church.

Brother Thomas Murphy, interim director of Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America, could not be reached for comment Tuesday morning.

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