Mets’ Cone Sued for Sexual Harassment

The New York Mets, their image already tarnished by rape allegations against three of their players, were hit hard again Thursday when three women named Met pitcher David Cone in an $8.1-million civil suit that includes charges of sexual harassment.

The suit charges that Cone lured two women into the bullpen area of Shea Stadium in 1989 and masturbated in front of them.

The suit, filed in New York Supreme Court, is an amendment to a suit filed by three women last September, accusing Cone of harassment and slander.

The women were identified in the suit as Phyllis DeLucia, 28, of West Nyack, N.Y.; Debra Hittelman, 31, of Spring Valley, N.Y., and Joan Twohie, 31 of Wesley Hills, N.Y.

They also allege that later in the 1989 season, Cone went to a hotel room in Montreal where two of the women were staying, got onto their bed and masturbated.

Cone could not be reached for comment at the Mets’ spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Meanwhile, police in Port St. Lucie said that after a 3 1/2-week investigation into the rape allegations, they will present the case to the State Attorney’s office today.