Nifong Duke Scandal

Op Ed: Nifong Resigns, End of Story?

Now that Mike Nifong has quit as prosecutor in the Duke University Lacrosse team rape scandal case, does that resolve the question of his conduct as a prosecutor in the case?

First, who is Mike Nifong? That’s easy. He was appointed by the Governor of North Carolina – Democrat Mike Easley - to fill a vacancy that came up in Durham, North Carolina to be the local District Attorney.

What! “I thought he got elected”. WRONG. Originally Nifong was appointed – after DA Jim Hardin resigned. He was a political appointee - until the next election - to the post of District Attorney in Durham, North Carolina, evidently quite unqualified for anything not a routine prosecution.

Then kaboom. The story everyone knows – race + Duke University + Lacrosse + rape allegation = big news. Nifong made a series of calculated moves (or were they missteps as some say?) in which he went public with various accusations that later turned out to be untrue, he stoked racial tensions as part of the election for "permanent" DA, he decided to influence the Durham police investigation, he refused to hear exculpatory evidence prior to indicting the Duke lacrosse players. The alleged victim has had a difficult life for which we should have sympathy, and if her allegations true, there could have been a terrible crime against her that should be punished.

The details of the Duke rape case scandal are well known and widely published. Briefly, stripper hired to perform at a party by Duke lacrosse team, she leaves and makes rape allegations. DA indicts. Duke lacrosse players suspended from school. Then the whole case falls apart, as lacking evidence. The North Carolina bar files an ethics complaint for conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation. Nifong resigns from the case.

Is Nifong's resignation enough, or must he be punished? As our regular readers know, the Unfiltered News community believes that society must create incentives against future Nifongs. But, how do we deter race pandering politicians like Nifong? We create a cause of action for the people wronged. Nifong must not escape a civil suit. What about prosecutorial immunity? It does not and should not apply to abuse of power for reelection. Al Sharpton and his attorneys were ordered to pay around $300,000 related to their statements during the Tawana Brawley scandal. Now is time for a reminder.