Humiliation Continues: Nifong Stripped of Badge

June 18, 2007— -- The humiliation continues for Mike Nifong -- on Tuesday the Durham County Sheriff stripped him of his badge and keys, while in Raleigh the NC State House unanimously passed a bill granting Governor Mike Easley the power to remove him from office.

Nifong agreed to step down from office but said he intended to keep working through July 13. On Monday Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson cut those plans short, announcing Monday that he would suspend Nifong from serving as DA, effective immediately.

Nifong will receive his pension and benefits, reports the Associated Press. A long-time prosecutor, Nifong has worked for the state of North Carolina for nearly thirty years.

On Saturday, the North Carolina State Bar disbarred Nifong for a battery of ethics violations that stemmed from his prosecution of the Duke case.

Then, on Monday, Duke University announced a legal settlement with the three exonerated Duke lacrosse players once accused of rape and sexual assault. No dollar amount was specified.

In a written statement released today, the university administration said it had determined that "it is in the best interests of the Duke community to eliminate the possibility of future litigation and move forward."

"For these reasons, and after considerable deliberation, the trustees have agreed to a settlement with each student."

Duke University President Richard Brodhead and school officials have been widely criticized for failing to stand by the lacrosse players in the early days of the case.

After the rape charges first surfaced in the spring of 2006, Duke canceled the men's lacrosse season and forced the resignation of coach Mike Pressler. Dozens of Duke faculty members known as the "Group of 88" signed a statement criticizing the lacrosse team.

Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty were suspended from Duke after their indictments. David Evans graduated from Duke just before he was indicted.

"This has been an extraordinary year for Duke students David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann," Duke added in today's statement.