Lax Players Sue Duke Over Rape Case

Thirty-eight former Duke lacrosse players are firing back at the North Carolina school and the city of Durham, suing for emotional distress resulting from the later-dropped rape case against three teammates, the AP reports. Players say the school ignored or suppressed evidence in their favor and let them face consequences of a crime they didn’t commit, concerned more with image than justice.

The suit charges the institutions and officials involved with fraud, abuse, and breach of duty during the case, the Raleigh News and Observer reports. The players were “victimized by a corrupt investigation,” their attorney says. The indicted players, who were declared not guilty, earlier sued the city and former district attorney Mike Nifong, who spent time behind bars over improper handling of the case. (More Duke lacrosse stories.)