Crystal Mangum Admits to Lying About Duke Lacrosse Rape Allegations Nearly 20 Years Later

Crystal Mangum, the former exotic dancer whose accusations of rape against three Duke University men’s lacrosse players in 2006 sparked a national controversy, has admitted that her allegations were false.

Speaking from the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, where she is serving time for a 2013 second-degree murder conviction, Mangum confessed to fabricating the story during an interview on the web show Let’s Talk with Kat, hosted by Katerena DePasquale.

“I testified falsely against them by saying that they raped me when they didn’t, and that was wrong,” Mangum revealed. “I betrayed the trust of a lot of other people who believed in me.”

She explained that her motivations stemmed from a desire for validation. “I made up a story that wasn’t true because I wanted validation from people and not from God,” she said.

Mangum expressed remorse and a hope for forgiveness from the men she accused—David Evans, Collin Finnerty, and Reade Seligmann. “I want them to know that I love them, and they didn’t deserve that, and I hope that they can forgive me,” she said.

Her false accusations, made nearly two decades ago, led to the arrests of the three men and thrust the case into the national spotlight. The alleged assault was said to have occurred at a party, resulting in significant consequences for Duke University and its lacrosse program.

The university canceled the 2006 lacrosse season, and head coach Mike Pressler was forced to resign. The case also ended in disgrace for the district attorney, who was later convicted of criminal contempt and disbarred for his handling of the case.

In 2007, then-North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, now the state’s governor, conducted a review of the case and exonerated the three players. Cooper declared that the charges were unfounded and that the men were innocent of the allegations.

Following the exoneration, Duke University and the players reached an undisclosed settlement. Later, in 2014, the city of Durham resolved a lawsuit brought by the players, agreeing to pay $50,000 to the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission as part of the settlement.

Duke University, along with the school’s then-president and lacrosse coach, has declined to comment on Mangum’s recent admission. The former players have also not publicly responded to her remarks.

Mangum’s confession marks a significant, albeit late, acknowledgment of the devastating impact her accusations had on the lives of the accused men and their families. .

The case remains one of the most infamous examples of false accusations in recent history, highlighting the broad repercussions such claims can have on individuals and institutions alike.