Opinion

Tawana Brawley: victim

Tawana Brawley might finally have become a victim.

Not of former Dutchess County prosecutor Steve Pagones — whom she falsely accused of rape and who is now looking to collect on a defamation judgment he won against her. But of Al Sharpton and lawyers Alton Maddox and C. Vernon Mason, who used her for their own purposes and then left her hanging.

Brawley was a teen who told a lie, reportedly because she feared her abusive stepfather. But Sharpton, Maddox and Mason were adults. They ran with her story and made wild charges against Pagones and others, inflaming racial tensions for personal gain. Pagones, who lost his career and marriage over it, sued all four — and won.

Thanks to The Post’s reporting, Pagones recently located the former Wappingers Falls teen, now 40, and slapped her with a court order to pay the judgment.

Sharpton’s judgment was paid by rich friends; his National Action Network picked up Maddox’s tab, and Mason had his wages garnished. But Brawley’s $190,000 judgment remains. It now stands at $431,492 with interest, and her paycheck may be docked by as much as 25 percent.

Where are all the rich businessmen who took care of Sharpton’s mess now? Heck, where’s MSNBC host Sharpton, who used Brawley to make himself famous — and has never apologized for spreading the hoax?

Still, there may be a way out for Brawley. Pagones says he might waive the $190,000 she owes him if she finally comes clean.

Let’s hope she does. An apology would do her good, and the truth would remind us of the worst culprits in this squalid tale.