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http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-875616.cfm?

City pushed to kill police lacrosse probe

By Ray Gronberg : The Herald-Sun
gronberg@heraldsun.com
Aug 27, 2007 : 1:20 pm ET

The insurance company that supplies Durham’s liability coverage wants an independent investigation of the city Police Department’s handling of the Duke lacrosse case shut down.

Representatives of the American Insurance Group Inc. told city officials late last week that they’re worried the investigation headed by former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Willis Whichard will cause problems as the city gears up for a prospective lawsuit by three former Duke lacrosse players.

Sources say that the firm hinted strongly that it might cancel the city’s policy if officials don’t go along with its request.

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The special prosecutors have “got a whole room with documents, charts and files,” Whichard said. “They expressed willingness to be available to us further if we need them to be.”

City officials learned recently that Sullivan and Scheck – famous for their representation of former Marine Corps Lt. Col. Oliver North and football star O.J. Simpson, respectively – were working for the players and are preparing a civil lawsuit.

Sullivan’s office confirmed on Friday that he’s representing Evans and Finnerty, and that Scheck is representing Seligmann.

The city has a $5 million liability policy. It is not clear whether a lawsuit by the players would count as one claim under it, or three.

It is also not clear whether the players are willing to settle. City officials believe at least one may want a day in court.

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http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=...ngle&id=5608783

08/27/07 — DURHAM) - The threat of a potential lawsuit against Durham’s police department has put an investigative panel in jeopardy. Sources tell Eyewitness News Reporter Tamara Gibbs that city leaders may have to consider suspending the panel, or risk possibly losing the city’s insurance coverage for a potential lawsuit.
Sources tell Eyewitness News the insurance company, which would pay for a potential lawsuit settlement, threatened to suspend the city’s policy if it didn’t reconsider the Duke Lacrosse Investigative Committee. We’re told the company sent its request by fax last Thursday. The city’s policy would cover up to $5 million in the event of a lawsuit.
Attorneys for the city and the former Duke Lacrosse defendants spoke for the first time last week. They plan to meet face-to-face within the next few weeks. The high-powered talks have forced Durham leaders to hold at least two closed-door sessions.

(snip)