WILLIAMSPORT - Former Penn State running back Austin Scott, who was thrown off the team following his 2007 arrest for rape, has filed a federal civil rights suit claiming there was no basis for the charges.

Scott, who lives in East Stroudsburg, claims in the suit filed Wednesday in U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport that he was projected to be a third- or fourth-round pick in the NFL draft until coach Joe Paterno dismissed him from the team.

He is seeking more than $150,000 in damages on claims that include malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, civil conspiracy, false arrest, failure to intervene and unlawful seizure.

The charges against Scott were withdrawn when the victim, identified in the court complaint as Desiree Minder of Pottsville, chose not to proceed after the state Superior Court ruled evidence about an earlier rape allegation could be used at trial.

Defendants, besides Minder, are Penn State, Centre County, District Attorney Michael Madiera, former assistant District Attorney Lance Marshall and Penn State Officers Matthew Cover, Ryan Rodgers and Dustin Miller.

Also named are Penn State Detectives Stephanie L. Brooks and Christine D. Vile, Chief Stephen Shelow and Assistant Chief Thomas Sowerby and 10 John or Jane Does who are either unnamed Penn State police officers or members of the district attorney's staff.

According to the court complaint, Scott and Minder agreed to meet the night of Oct. 4, 2007, at a State College bar. They left about 2 a.m. and went to Scott's apartment, where he claims they had consensual sex.

Scott contends he offered to call a taxi to take Minder home, she declined, kissed him and left. At 4:17 a.m., she called the Penn State police department to report she had been raped.

The complaint states her version of the incident was similar to an alleged rape she had reported in Northampton County where the accused was acquitted.

A phone call the following morning that Minder allowed to be intercepted by police showed no rape had occurred, Scott claims. Also, she did not suffer any bruising and her clothing was not damaged.

During numerous interviews, she is alleged to have admitted she never said the words stop, don't or no, that she didn't scream and she didn't struggle or try to leave Scott's apartment, the complaint states.

The affidavit that led to charges of rape and sexual, indecent and simple assault omitted various facts, including the prior false rape allegations by Minder, Scott claims.

Scott alleges Marshall was motivated to pursue unfounded charges to curry favor with Minder. Marshall later resigned after being accused of making inappropriate sexual advances toward women.

Madiera had no comment on Scott's allegations because he said he has not seen the complaint.