Crystal Mangum, the former exotic dancer who accused three Duke men’s lacrosse players of rape in 2006, igniting a national firestorm, now says she lied about the encounter.
“I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t, and that was wrong.
“I made up a story that wasn’t true because I wanted validation from people and not from God,” Mangum said.
David Evans, left, Collin Finnerty, center, and Reade Seligmann, right, at a news conference after charges against them were dropped in 2007.
Mangum’s admission comes nearly two decades after she said she was raped by former players David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann.
Duke University and the three players reached an undisclosed settlement shortly after the charges were dropped.
As part of the settlement, Durham agreed to pay $50,000 to the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission. »
