Denver (AP) The co–owner of a Montrose dance studio is suing the city's newspaper, its police department and numerous individuals. Park Avenue Dance Works owner John Ward says they conspired to discredit him and his wife and destroy their business.

The lawsuit stems from accusations that Ward photographed two minor dance students in a hot tub and shower and possessed child pornography. Those charges were dismissed in a plea agreement. Ward pleaded no contest last year to two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of harassment.

His lawsuit alleges that people made false reports about him and the newspaper reported false information about his case. Newspaper publisher Steve Woody calls the claims "preposterous."

Another plaintiff in the lawsuit is a former dance student who says he was falsely accused of rape.

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