DURHAM, N.C., April 13 (UPI) -- The North Carolina State Bar Friday refused to drop an ethics complaint against District Attorney Mike Nifong for his conduct in the Duke lacrosse rape case.
Nifong could lose his license to practice law if the association finds he withheld crucial DNA evidence from lawyers for the three lacrosse players, The Raleigh News & Observer reported. Nifong apologized to the players Thursday after the state attorney general dismissed all charges against the players.
Nifong's lawyer disputes the complaint, saying the Durham County prosecutor did provide the defense with test results that showed no match between the players and evidence taken from an exotic dancer hired for a team party.
The State Bar also accuses Nifong of making inflammatory public statements, but that ethics complaint is less serious than the one about withholding evidence.
When he announced the dismissal of the case, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper called Nifong "a rogue prosecutor."
