Nifong to quit as DA in July

RALEIGH -- Mike Nifong, who was disbarred Saturday, said he plans to stay on the job as Durham district attorney for another month.

In a letter delivered today to Gov. Mike Easley, Nifong said he would leave office July 13.

"Consistent with my publicly announced intention, I am writing to tell you that I am resigning my elected position as District Attorney for the 14th Prosecutorial District (Durham), effective at the end of the business day on Friday, July 13, 2007," Nifong wrote in a later dated Sunday.

"Should the person you appoint to succeed me wish to speak with me during the remainder of my term of service about facilitating transition to a new administration, I would be more than happy to attempt to accommodate his or her needs."

A three-member panel of the State Bar's disciplinary commission disbarred Nifong after finding that he violated ethics rules in his prosecution of three Duke University lacrosse players wrongly accused of raping a stripper at a team party.

Nifong announced Friday that he intended to resign, though he did not say until today specifically when he would leave office.

Under state law, Easley will appoint someone to be acting district attorney until voters choose a replacement in the November 2008 election.

Easley today said Nifong's replacement must have an impeccable reputation, known for honesty and character.

The panel that disbarred Nifong for repeatedly and intentionally lying and cheating in the lacrosse case has not yet issued an official order.

Under the rules of the State Bar, Nifong will lose his law license 30 days after he receives the official order of disbarment by the Disciplinary Hearing Commission.

Lane Williamson, chairman of the panel that disbarred Nifong, said Saturday that the final order would take some time to draft and publish.

Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson in Durham has a petition pending before him asking that he remove Nifong from office. Hudson said today that he does not plan to act on the petition. He said Nifong would be gone from office before he had all the necessary paperwork to remove him.

Staff writer Ryan Teague Beckwith contributed to this report.