Nifong's attorney asks for reversal of bankruptcy judge ruling

Durham, N.C. — The attorney for former Durham district attorney Mike Nifong is asking the federal district court to reverse a bankruptcy judge’s ruling that allowed three former Duke University lacrosse players to proceed with a civil rights lawsuit against, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Attorney James B. Craven wrote in the brief that the three former lacrosse players said they are not looking for money, but accountability.

“They forget, or choose to ignore, that Mike Nifong has been removed from office, has been disbarred, and was a 24 hour guest at the Durham County Jail. Yet now they want him held accountable? They already have all they will ever get from him, and if they don’t understand that, their counsel do,” Craven continued.

Nifong filed for bankruptcy earlier this year in response to David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann's claims that he, the city of Durham and others conspired to keep a weak case alive as Nifong faced election.

The bankruptcy filing meant Nifong was temporarily protected from litigation. Judge William L. Stocks ruled in May, however, the lawsuit could proceed.

Nifong filed for an appeal in June.

In his January 15 bankruptcy filing, Nifong listed a debt of $180.3 million, listing the Evans, Finnerty and Seligmann as unsecured creditors, each owed $30 million.

Nifong won indictments against the three players in Spring 2006 following exotic dancer Crystal Mangum's accusations that she was raped and sexually assaulted at a lacrosse party in March 2006.

The North Carolina State Bar later stripped Nifong of his law license, and he spent a night in jail for lying to a Superior Court judge.