NEW YORK — A lawsuit filed by a donor against an imam who became a lightning rod for heated debate over a planned mosque near ground zero has been settled.
The New York Times reports (http://nyti.ms/127QHBn) Friday that donor Robert Leslie Deak and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf (rah-OOF'), leader of the Cordoba Initiative, both confirmed the settlement.
In a statement, Rauf said he was pleased to put the "unfortunate episode behind us." Deak said in a statement he was satisfied Rauf was not involved in any wrongdoing.
The lawsuit alleged Rauf used millions of dollars in contributions to his separate charity for pricey trips, a sports car and other personal expenses.
Rauf co-led efforts to build the lower Manhattan Islamic center for a time in 2010.
Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com
