After being wrongfully accused of rape in 2006, three Duke University lacrosse players have reached a settlement with the City of Durham. Under the agreement, the City agreed to pay $50,000 to the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, a state agency dedicated to investigating and evaluating post-conviction claims of factual innocence. Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel founding partner Richard Emery represents Reade Seligmann, one of the three lacrosse players.

The circumstances surrounding the original criminal case revealed a determined attempt on the part of Durham police officers, prosecutors, and government officials to incriminate the three young men on charges they knew to be fraudulent. As Mr. Emery said, this case is “one of the most vile and abusive acts by government officials . . . and prosecutors in the history of the United States.” Mike Nifong, the District Attorney who was in charge of the original case, has since been disbarred for his actions during the investigation and trial.

“City of Durham settles long-running lawsuit with former Duke lacrosse players,” The Charlotte Observer