Woman At Center Of Dominique Strauss-Kahn Case Sues NY Post
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The woman who alleged Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexually assaulted her in a hotel has filed a lawsuit against the New York Post.
The woman is accusing the Post of libel. It stems from stories the Post ran labeling her a "hooker," "prostitute" and saying she "traded sex for money."
No comment on the lawsuit from the Post.
Click here to read a copy of the lawsuit.
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The lawsuit follows on the heels of the case against Strauss-Kahn in New York City teetering on the verge of collapse. However, the former head of the International Monetary Fund is now facing a new sexual assault investigation in France.
French writer Tristane Banon filed a lawsuit in Paris Tuesday against the former head of the International Monetary Fund for attempted rape.
"If we have to say something to Mr. Strauss-Kahn, legally we will do it in France and we will do it when I am able to talk to my client the consequences, the exact consequences in the U.S. of a move made by us in France," said David Koubbi, Banon's attorney.
"These are events of a particular violence and gravity. I absolutely don't wish to make this case a political one."
The 32-year-old said eight years ago Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her during an interview in a Paris apartment when he was finance minister.
Banon said the fact that he recently had his bail returned and his house arrest lifted for attempted rape charges in the U.S. motivated her to take legal action.
She told the french magazine "L'Express" that "I cannot stand to hear that I am a liar because I did not file complaints. And now, to see Strauss-Kahn free at dinner at a luxury restaurant with friends, it makes me sick."
Strauss-Kahn said Banon was making the whole thing up. He said the same thing about allegations lodged by a housekeeper from the Bronx at the Sofitel Hotel in Manhattan.
Back in May, the Bronx woman said Strauss-Kahn sexually assaulted her in his suite at the hotel, but her story was being questioned after prosecutors discovered she'd told them conflicting stories.
They also discovered the woman may have connections to drug dealing and money laundering.
"The problem in this case was that she lied about the event, she lied to investigators and she potentially lied under oath to the grand jury," said former prosecutor Robin Sax. "When you have lies that are specifically about a case, there is no recovery. That case is over, day over, good-bye, good night."
"They're now in a box. They've got an indictment. It was voted by a grand jury. They're supposed to proceed. And if they don't proceed, they're going to be criticized. But I don't see how they can proceed with the credibility problems this woman has," trial lawyer Ron Fischetti told CBS 2's Pablo Guzman.
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Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he won't second guess, compliment, or criticize the NYPD or Manhattan District Attorney's handling of the case.
"There was a lot of evidence that, at first glance, looked credible. The District Attorney, the police department, they have an obligation to keep people from fleeing and then let the courts decide," said Bloomberg on Tuesday.
As for the rush to judgment that Dominique Strauss-Kahn was guilty, he said, "Everyone's an instant expert. You guys make your living doing that, which is fine, but sometimes mistakes will be made."
"I've always thought that perp walks were outrageous, but that's only my view. Roman times, too. They're nothing new."
And its very hard, added the mayor, to put someone's reputation back in the box.
Experts told Guzman the DA may try to settle for a misdemeanor. Strauss-Kahn's lawyers want everything dismissed. Both sides are meeting on Wednesday.
Do you believe Banon? Sound off below in our comments section...
(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
