Man cleared of Michigan rape settles for $1.5M

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DETROIT (AP) — A man who served 13 years in prison forrape based on faulty bite-mark evidence has
settled a lawsuit against aDetroit-area suburb for $1.5 million, his attorney said Friday.Thedeal between
Michael Cristini and the city of Warren was struck lessthan two weeks before trial in Detroit federal court,
attorney MichaelDezsi told The Associated Press.Cristini "was ready to put thisbehind him, and he
believed this was a fair amount. This was a nightmarethat happened more than 20 years ago," Dezsi said,
referring to theinitial criminal case. "It ruined his life."In 1991, Cristini andJeffrey Moldowan
were convicted of abducting Moldowan’s formergirlfriend, raping her and dumping her on a street in Detroit.
Theevidence included testimony from experts who linked the men’s teeth tobite marks on the woman. Cristini
was sentenced to at least 50 years inprison.But Moldowan’s conviction was thrown out in 2002 by thestate
Supreme Court after bite-mark evidence was discredited andtestimony was recanted. Cristini’s conviction was
thrown out by a MacombCounty judge in 2003. Both men were put on trial again separately andacquitted.They
filed lawsuits against Warren, the county and adentist claiming their civil rights were violated by a
bungled policeinvestigation. Cristini insisted he was delivering pizzas on the nightof the alleged attack.A
message seeking comment on the settlementwas left with Warren Mayor Jim Fouts. Dezsi said Cristini earlier
madesmaller settlements with the county and Dr. Alan Warnick.Moldowan in 2011 settled his lawsuit with
Warren for $2.8 million. He also reached deals with the county and Warnick.Thewoman who accused Moldowan and
Cristini of rape was also sued, but afederal appeals court in 2009 said she could not be pursued.
Herstatements were "critical" in the decision to file charges but "wereonly part of a
broader, independent investigation," the court said.___Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwhiteapCopyright 2013 The
Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten
orredistributed.

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