Nifong off the hook for now

DURHAM -- Former Durham district attorney Mike Nifong is off the hook for the time being from any civil lawsuits.

The judge overseeing the Duke Lacrosse lawsuit filed by three exonerated players has put their suit on hold.

The case manager with the federal courts told Eyewitness News the move will allow Nifong's bankruptcy case to move forward.

Nifong filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this month, claiming $180 million in liabilities.

U.S. District Court Judge James Beaty left open the possibility that Nifong could again become a defendant in the civil suit, saying in Monday's filing that could happen within 90 days of the end of his bankruptcy case.

Nifong led the case against the three players, who state prosecutors later declared innocent. Attorneys for Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and Dave Evans later filed the lawsuit against Nifong and several others.

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