38 former Duke lacrosse players to file federal lawsuit
RALEIGH (AP) — More than three dozen current and former Duke lacrosse players claim in a lawsuit they suffered emotional distress during the since-discredited rape case pursued against three teammates.
Attorneys said the federal lawsuit seeking unspecified damages will be filed Thursday in North Carolina.
The suit filed by 38 unindicted players accuses Duke University, the City of Durham and several school and police officials of fraud, abuse, and breach of duty for supporting the prosecution of the case.
In a written statement, lead attorney Chuck Cooper said Duke turned its back on the players to protect the school’s image.
Former District Attorney Mike Nifong won indictments in 2006 against three players on rape charges, but state prosecutors later cleared the men of any wrongdoing. He was later disbarred and resigned from office.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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