School district wants money from Brian Banks' accuser

Wanetta Gibson admitted that her rape claim against Brian Banks when they were students at Long Beach Polytechnic High School was bogus.

Now, the school district wants its money back.

Gibson collected $750,000 in a settlement with the Long Beach Unified School District after suing following her accusation that Banks raped her in 2002. Banks wound up doing more than five years in prison before he was exonerated. The one-time USC recruit has been signed by the Atlanta Falcons and he’s got a slim chance of competing for a roster spot.

The school district has a slim chance of getting much money from Gibson too. But according to the Los Angeles Times, the Long Beach district is seeking to recoup about $1.9 million it spent in defense of itself as well as another $1 million in punitive damages.

“Our school district takes seriously its obligation to be a good steward of public funds,” Chris Eftychiou, spokesman for the district, told the Times. “It’s important to convey that our school board will take action to recoup any losses if someone attempts to defraud our schools of much-needed resources.”

The school district is also imploring the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office to pursue criminal charges against Gibson. The fact is the $750,000 she received is pretty much long gone. From a public perspective, it might be just for someone who made false accusations to face a trial of their own.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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