GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP/WWJ) - Former Detroit Tigers player Chad Curtis says he's down to $39 and "nine noodles in (his) cell" as he defends himself in a civil lawsuit against young women who say he molested them when they were teens.

Magistrate Judge Ellen Carmody urged Curtis — who's serving seven years, one month to 15 years in prison for sexual misconduct in western Michigan — to get an attorney to help him in a lawsuit.

The Grand Rapids Press reports Curtis apologized Monday for a filing that identified the women by name. Curtis said he has "truth" on his side and can't afford a lawyer.

The women want to move the case directly to financial damages, noting that Curtis already has been convicted. But the judge says the conviction is being appealed.

The girls said Curtis touched them inappropriately while he was working as Lakewood High School's volunteer weight-room trainer in 2012. Curtis was poised to become the head football coach at the school, near Lake Odessa, but resigned when the criminal complaint surfaced. During a probable cause hearing, two teen girls gave their accounts of how the alleged molestation happened.

Curtis denies the allegations but declined to testify at trial.

Curtis played Major League Baseball from 1992-2001. He played for the Tigers in 1995-1996.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.