The Central Park Five, now known as the Exonerated Five, have filed a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump over his remarks during the presidential debate last month. Trump falsely claimed that the men had pleaded guilty to the assault and rape of a woman in Central Park, and that the victim had died. In reality, the men had pleaded not guilty and were later exonerated after DNA evidence linked another man to the crime. The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s statements have caused them harm and are untrue. The five men spent years in prison before being cleared of all charges in 2002 and later received a $41 million settlement from the city. The case took place during a time of heightened racial tensions, with Trump advocating for the death penalty in the case. The defamation suit was filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with one of the men present at the debate as a City Council Member. The men are seeking damages to be determined at trial. This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as they become available.
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‘Central Park Five’ exonerated men sue Trump for defamation following debate remarks
