Disbarred DA submits resignation

RALEIGH, N.C., July 2 (UPI) -- The North Carolina prosecutor who brought charges against three Duke University lacrosse players resigned Monday.

Mike Nifong, who has been disbarred, submitted a letter to a Superior Court judge resigning from the Durham district attorney's job, the Raleigh, N.C., News & Observer reported.

Nifong faces contempt charges for allegedly lying about DNA evidence in the case against the lacrosse players accused of rape, the newspaper reported.

The state attorney general dropped the charges against the three former Duke athletes and pronounced them innocent.

Nifong's resignation arrived before a hearing resumed on a citizen's petition to remove him from office.