News & Politics

Dominique Strauss-Kahn Released Without Bail


Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released without bail after the Manhattan D.A.’s office uncovered what are being called serious credibility issues with his accuser, a maid at the Sofitel who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her in a room at the hotel six weeks ago. He denies the allegations, and investigators have reason to believe that his accuser lied about her background and also about some of her activities around the time of the attack, which apparently undermines the case to the extent that DSK has been freed from house arrest.

Via CBS News:



What that has to do with allegations of rape, aside from undermining her credibility, remains to be seen. More germane: There were also lies as to the attack itself, the New York Times reports:

The housekeeper admitted that she lied about what happened after the episode on the 28th floor of the hotel. She had initially said that after being attacked, she had waited in a hallway until Mr. Strauss-Kahn left the room; she now admits that after the episode, she cleaned a nearby room, then returned to Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s suite to clean there. Only after that did she report to her supervisor that she had been attacked.

Prosecutors have not, however, decided whether to downgrade the charges against Strauss-Kahn, nor have they come to a new conclusion about the allegations, necessarily. Traces of Strauss-Kahn’s DNA had been found on the maid’s shirt, indicating that there was definitely an encounter of some sort, and the woman still maintains that she was attacked.

DSK’s passport remains surrendered and he can’t leave the country. The Guardian has live coverage of his bail hearing.

Update: Cy Vance, Manhattan DA, says that the case is going forward and that charges against Strauss-Kahn have not been dismissed. Further, he said,

The court had given full support to the alleged victim, and done “everything in our power to maintain her privacy and keep her safe — and we will continue to do so.”

Here’s Vance’s letter regarding Strauss-Kahn.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn freed from house arrest [CBS News]

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