‘Three Cups’ Author was ‘Overwhelmed’

[/captionHELENA, Mont. (AP) — "Three Cups of Tea" author Greg Mortenson says he has been overwhelmed by all the issues facing him this past year, but that the dismissal of a civil lawsuit confirms his faith that the U.S. judicial system is fair.

Mortenson made his comments Monday in a statement to The Associated Press after U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon rejected claims that Mortenson, his publisher, his co-author and his charity engaged in fraud and racketeering.

The lawsuit alleged Mortenson fabricated book passages to boost sales and increase donations to the Central Asia Institute.

In Mortenson's first public statement in a year, he says facing open-heart surgery, a state investigation into his charity and the lawsuit was overwhelming.

But he says Central Asia Institute is stronger than ever and will continue its work.