Nifong's Slump Continues
In another swing and a miss, the Disbarred, Disgraced, and Former Durham DA Mike Nifong lost today in his Bankruptcy Court bid.
Former Duke Players Can Sue Nifong Outside Bankruptcy (Update1)
By Dawn McCarty
May 27 (Bloomberg) -- Three former Duke University lacrosse players cleared of rape charges brought by former prosecutor Michael Nifong can proceed with their lawsuit against him outside bankruptcy court, a judge ruled.
The former North Carolina district attorney, who lost his law license for mishandling the criminal case against the players, sought bankruptcy protection Jan. 15 in federal court in Durham, North Carolina. Nifong filed for Chapter 11 protection in hopes of ending the players' legal claims against him.
``It is clear that all of the claims should be tried in the same case in the same court in the interest of judicial economy and to avoid unnecessary and undue burden on the parties,'' U.S. Bankruptcy Judge William Stocks said in papers filed today.
Under bankruptcy law, all litigation against a company or individual who seeks protection is put on hold while the case is pending. A judge can grant a request to allow the claims to proceed outside bankruptcy court in some instances.
The case is In re Michael B. Nifong, 08-80034, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of North Carolina (Durham). Bloomberg News Service
One of the Blog Hooligans, who is an attorney with expertize in this matters, had this comment on the LieStoppers Meeting Place.
A short version of the law of bankruptcy. When a petition is filed, an automatic stay issues. The stay, stops all attempts at collection, including tort claims. By law, no further action may taken until the Bankruptcy Court decides if the particular claim is a proper subject for bankruptcy or not. I wrote on the old site that I thought it was not because of the willful and malicious element of the conduct. Nifong made his own case more difficult by claiming that he was simultaneously not malicious or wilful and not liable. While in theory those are not mutually exclusive claims, given the facts of this case it was very difficult to argue one that he was not malicious or wilful and at the same time he was not liable to the players. I think Judge Stocks (of the Bankruptcy Court) agreed with me. Thus he, in the language of bankruptcy, he abandoned the litigation. That is to say, he sent it back to the District Court because it did not belong in bankruptcy. Walt-in-Durham
Hat Tip: Walt-in-Durham, sdsgo
8 comments:
No way Nifong was going to win. He enters the court with a conviction for lying/misleading the court over the DNA evidence.
Nifong has dirty hands, and no judge is going to give him a pass.
Two words, Nifong: Ramen Noodles.
Rae Evans words speak loudly!
Looks like Nifong is 0 for 2008.
I still wonder when Wicked Wendy Murphy will offer to defend Mike Nifong Pro Bono.
Wendy has been spouting off since the start of the case that Nifong has had evidence up his sleeve of the Lacrosse Players' guilt, spouting off about why the file has not been made public, claiming Nifong will publish a book which will expose what actually happened in the case, has been spouting off that CGM was probably paid off. Defending Nifong is this case pro bono is her chance to get at the file, to get out into the open all this evidence she claims to exist, to expose what she says is the truth about the case.
So why doesn't wicked Wendy take the opportunity?
Suing is easy. Collecting the money is the hard part. Nifong just won't pay and we don't have debtor's prisons anymore. His house and pension is protected, so what does he care? Besides, there is no judgement against him,
[i]Suing is easy. Collecting the money is the hard part. Nifong just won't pay and we don't have debtor's prisons anymore. His house and pension is protected, so what does he care?[/i]
Obtaining a judgment against Nifong effectively negates any book deal he might profit from.
Walt-in-Durham
Does he have a book deal?
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