Ex-lacrosse Players Can Pursue Lawsuit Against Nifong

by Anne Blythe - May 27th, 2008 - News & Observer

Former District Attorney Mike Nifong will not be able to hide from a lawsuit in bankruptcy court, a federal judge ruled today.

The three exonerated lacrosse players who filed suit against the fallen prosecutor in October will be able to pursue their claims in federal civil court, Judge William L. Stocks ruled.

This is an interesting situation. The courts are essentially ruling that Nifong cannot use the standard copout permitted to most criminals to avoid responsibility for his crimes by hiding in bankruptcy court. This has been such a standard dodge for so long, that most attorneys just assumed Nifong could get away with it. While it is encouraging that the courts are not protecting Nifon, I wonder whether this is a special exception for Nifong (who embarrassed the court system) or whether it will apply to other people in the future who try to hide their money from those they have damaged by filing for bankruptcy?

It almost looks like equal protection of the court doesn't mean anything if you screw the courts.

Personally, I love it. Nifong deserves it. I would just like to see this apply to some of the other evil people who have used bankruptcy court to hide. Like O.J. Maybe?