Nifong submits new letter of resignation, effective immediately

DURHAM (AP) -- Disgraced Durham County prosecutor Mike Nifong will leave office immediately.

That's according to a new letter of resignation Nifong submitted today.

However -- the letter is only a formality.

Nifong has already been disbarred, suspended from office and replaced by his old boss as district attorney for his handling of the Duke lacrosse rape case.

He had also submitted a resignation letter last month saying he would resign July 13.

But last week, Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson moved ahead with an effort to remove Nifong from office before his scheduled resignation date.

The judge held off booting Nifong from office until today, to allow Nifong time to send Governor Mike Easley a new letter of resignation.

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