The One
1st July 2011, 11:39
Was this man set up
The sex assault case against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is reportedly on the brink of collapse after new revelations about the maid who accused him.
The woman, who cleaned the suite at the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan where the French politician was staying, claimed he appeared naked from the bathroom and chased her down the hall before the alleged assault took place.
Prosecutors in New York were initially confident in her story - but are now said to have doubts about the woman's credibility as a witness.
According to the New York Times, officials say that since her initial allegations in May, the 32-year-old has repeatedly lied.
The paper said that although forensic evidence showed there had been a sexual encounter between the pair, prosecutors did not believe much of what the woman had told them.
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It reported that prosecutors had discovered issues with the Guinean immigrant's asylum application and possible links to criminal activities, including drug dealing and money laundering.
Prosecutors also found out the woman had had a phone conversation, which was recorded, within a day of her encounter with Strauss-Kahn, in which she told a man about the possible benefits of pursuing the charges, the New York Times said.
Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers met the prosecution on Thursday to discuss whether to dismiss the charges, the paper added.
The revelations come as Strauss-Kahn, who was a leading candidate for the French presidency when he was arrested, is due in court to seek changes to his bail conditions.
He is currently under house arrest in a townhouse in the Tribeca neighbourhood of Manhattan, where he is subject to an electronic monitoring device and under the 24-hour watch of armed guards.
The 62-year-old resigned from the IMF on May 19. Another French politician, Christine Lagarde, will take over from him.
Strauss-Kahn pleaded not guilty on June 6, vehemently denying the allegations.
He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-Sex-Assault-Case-Reportedly-On-Brink-Of-Collapse-After-Claims-Maid-Lied/Article/201107116022100?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_16022100_Dominique_Strauss-Kahn_Sex_Assault_Case_Reportedly_On_Brink_Of_Collapse_After_Claims_Maid_Lied
The sex assault case against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is reportedly on the brink of collapse after new revelations about the maid who accused him.
The woman, who cleaned the suite at the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan where the French politician was staying, claimed he appeared naked from the bathroom and chased her down the hall before the alleged assault took place.
Prosecutors in New York were initially confident in her story - but are now said to have doubts about the woman's credibility as a witness.
According to the New York Times, officials say that since her initial allegations in May, the 32-year-old has repeatedly lied.
The paper said that although forensic evidence showed there had been a sexual encounter between the pair, prosecutors did not believe much of what the woman had told them.
8351
It reported that prosecutors had discovered issues with the Guinean immigrant's asylum application and possible links to criminal activities, including drug dealing and money laundering.
Prosecutors also found out the woman had had a phone conversation, which was recorded, within a day of her encounter with Strauss-Kahn, in which she told a man about the possible benefits of pursuing the charges, the New York Times said.
Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers met the prosecution on Thursday to discuss whether to dismiss the charges, the paper added.
The revelations come as Strauss-Kahn, who was a leading candidate for the French presidency when he was arrested, is due in court to seek changes to his bail conditions.
He is currently under house arrest in a townhouse in the Tribeca neighbourhood of Manhattan, where he is subject to an electronic monitoring device and under the 24-hour watch of armed guards.
The 62-year-old resigned from the IMF on May 19. Another French politician, Christine Lagarde, will take over from him.
Strauss-Kahn pleaded not guilty on June 6, vehemently denying the allegations.
He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-Sex-Assault-Case-Reportedly-On-Brink-Of-Collapse-After-Claims-Maid-Lied/Article/201107116022100?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_16022100_Dominique_Strauss-Kahn_Sex_Assault_Case_Reportedly_On_Brink_Of_Collapse_After_Claims_Maid_Lied