Case against DSK looks set to be dropped
THE prosecutors in the case of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn (pictured) will meet with the hotel maid accusing him of sexual assault today, in a sign the case may be headed for dismissal.
Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for the maid, Nafissatou Diallo, said the Manhattan district attorney’s office requested in a letter that Diallo meet with them at 3pm (7pm GMT).
“This is just another piece of evidence demonstrating what may be the ultimate outcome of this case,” Wigdor said.
“There have been many other facts in this office’s handling of this case that have led myself and [Kenneth Thompson, another Diallo lawyer] to believe that unfortunately the district attorney’s office may dismiss,” he said.
Erin Duggan, the spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office, declined to comment.
There has been widespread speculation that prosecutors would drop the case since late June when they revealed that Diallo had lied repeatedly in her statements and in her application for US asylum, casting a shadow over her credibility.
Diallo, 32, filed a civil claim against Strauss-Kahn last week in New York, and it has been claimed that her lawyers had been exploring a deal to scuttle the criminal case in exchange for a monetary settlement in the civil lawsuit.
Strauss-Kahn had been seen as a leading contender in next year’s French presidential election when Diallo accused him of sexual assault on 14 May at the Sofitel Hotel in New York, forcing him to resign as head of International Monetary Fund a few days later.
TIMELINE | DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN CASE
13 May 2011
Then-IMF-chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn checks into the Sofitel hotel in New York.
14 May 2011
A maid claims to have entered the room to be met with Strauss-Kahn running naked at her from the shower. She claims he sexually assaulted her and attempted to rape her. He later admits a sexual encounter but denies the charges. Strauss-Kahn attends a lunch before boarding a plane to France, where he is arrested from the first class section.
15 May 2011
Strauss-Kahn is charged with a criminal sexual act, attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment.
16 May 2011
Strauss-Kahn appears in Manhattan Criminal Court for his hearing. He is denied bail and transferred to Rikers Island jail.
17 May 2011
Strauss-Kahn resigns as managing director of the IMF.
18 May 2011
A New York judge grants Strauss-Kahn bail. The terms are $1m cash bail, 24-hour home detention with electronic monitoring and an armed guard.
1 July 2011
Speculation builds over the credibility of the alleged victim, who seems to have links to a suspected drug dealer and was recorded discussing how she could benefit from the case.
21 August 2011
Prosecutors request a meeting with the hotel maid, Nafissatou Diallo, raising speculation the case could be close to being dismissed.