The exotic dancer who once accused three Duke University lacrosse of raping her admitted this week that she invented the 2006 allegations that set off a combustible national conversation about gender, race and class. Mangum and another dancer had been hired to perform at party, thrown by Duke lacrosse players, on March 13, 2006. She claimed that players raped her in blockbuster allegations that touched on hot-button topics such as sex work, race and class. The 46-year-old said she was "searching for validation" when she made up those lies and now hopes the former Duke players can someday accept her apology. Evans, Seligmann and Finnerty did not immediately return telephone and email messages seeking comment on Friday.

---

Persons: Crystal Mangum, David Evans, Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann, podcaster Kate Katerena's, Kat, Mangum, Mike Nifong, Dave Evans, Reginald Daye, She's, Evans, Seligmann, Finnerty Organizations: Duke University, Duke, North Carolina Correctional Institution, Women Locations: Durham County, North Carolina