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{{short description|American criminal case}}
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{{Use American English|date=February 2016}}
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'''''The People of the State of New York v. Strauss-Kahn''''' was a criminal case relating to allegations of ] and ] made by a hotel maid, Nafissatou Diallo, against ] at the ] on 14 May 2011.
On 19 May 2011, Strauss-Kahn was indicted by a ]; after posting $1&nbsp;million ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://courts.state.ny.us/whatsnew/pdf/dsk_release_order.pdf|title=Release order|date=20 May 2011|publisher=Courts.state.ny.us|access-date=20 December 2011}}</ref> and pleading not guilty, he was placed under ].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Strauss-Kahn indicted by grand jury, is granted $1 million cash bail |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/0519/Strauss-Kahn-indicted-by-grand-jury-is-granted-1-million-cash-bail |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729}}</ref>


On 1 July, prosecutors told the judge that they had reassessed the strength of their case in the light of the housekeeper's diminished ].<ref name="NYT6-30" /><ref name="nyt-letter">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/nyregion/new-yorkers-and-french-await-latest-dominique-strauss-kahn-legal-turn.html|title=Strauss-Kahn Is Released as Case Teeters|date=1 July 2011|author=John Eligon|work=The New York Times}}</ref> On 23 August 2011, the judge formally dismissed all charges following a recommendation for dismissal filed by the District Attorney's office, which asserted that the complainant's untruthfulness made it impossible to credit her.<ref name="Motion for Dismissal" /><ref name="LATimes-8-23-11">, ''Los Angeles Times'', 23 August 2011.</ref> At the time of the alleged attack, Strauss-Kahn was the head of the ] (IMF) and considered to be a leading candidate in the ]. Four days after his arrest, he voluntarily resigned his post at the IMF.
The '''Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case''' involves the ongoing criminal prosecution of ] in the ] for the alleged ] and ] of a housekeeper at the ] on May 14, 2011. He has denied all the allegations, and his attorney has characterized the evidence as not being consistent with forcible encounter.<ref name="ax1"/>


==Chronology==
At the time of the alleged attack, Strauss-Kahn was the head of the ] (IMF) and considered to be a leading candidate for the ]. As a result of the allegations, and other publicity about his previous affairs with women, he resigned from his IMF post. He says that he intends to devote all of his time and energy to proving his innocence.<ref name=VOA>, ''Voice of America'', May 19, 2011 (includes 3 minute video) </ref> Some worry that the accusations and his retirement have potentially "changed the course of European and global history."<ref name=AsiaTimesOnline/>
===Arrest and indictment===
On 14 May 2011, Strauss-Kahn was arrested and charged with the sexual assault and attempted rape of 32-year-old Nafissatou Diallo, a housekeeper at the Sofitel New York Hotel in the ] borough earlier that day. After calling the hotel and asking them to bring his missing cell phone to the airport, he was met by police and taken from his Paris-bound flight at New York City's ] minutes before takeoff. He was later charged on several counts of sexual assault plus ]. Strauss-Kahn was accused of four ] charges—two of criminal sexual acts (forcing the housekeeper to perform ] on him), one of attempted rape and one of ]—plus three ] offences, including unlawful imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/page?id=13640476|title=Grand Jury Indictment|publisher=ABC News|date=16 May 2011|access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/05/19/UPI-NewsTrack-TopNews/UPI-39851305856941/#ixzz1MrC9CTvm|title=Strauss-Kahn indicted on sex charges|publisher=UPI|date=19 May 2011|access-date=5 June 2011}}</ref>


The ] determined that Strauss Kahn's ] did not apply to the case.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/political-economy/post/imf-chief-will-note-get-diplomatic-immunity-state-dept-says/2011/05/17/AFFimx5G_blog.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=IMF chief will note get diplomatic immunity, State Dept. says|date=17 May 2011|last=Sheridan|first=Mary Beth|access-date=25 May 2011}}</ref>
On May 19, Strauss-Kahn was ] by a ] to stand trial on all 7 criminal charges filed. He faces up to 25 years in prison on the most serious charge, if convicted. Strauss-Kahn's wife, ], posted a $1 million ] and he was placed under ].<ref name="CSM9">, '']'', May 19, 2011.</ref> The next court hearing is scheduled for June 6, 2011.


Strauss-Kahn hired New York lawyer ] to represent him.<ref name=vancouver>, ''Vancouver Sun'', 15 May 2011.</ref> He was reported as having sought public relations advice from a Washington-based consulting firm.<ref name=HuffPo>, ''The Huffington Post'', 20 May 2011.</ref> His defense team hired a private detective agency to investigate the housekeeper's past.<ref>{{cite web|last=Buxeda|first=Yann|title=Strauss-Kahn lawyer hires private investigators|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110525-strauss-kahn-private-detectives-build-defence-case-guidepost-justice-us-france-imf#|date=27 May 2011|access-date=12 June 2011 |publisher=]}}</ref>
== Alleged attack and arrest ==


Nafissatou Diallo was represented by ] and ] of Thompson Wigdor LLP, a two-partner law firm whose areas of expertise include employment law and civil rights cases.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thompson Wigdor LLP|url=http://www.twglawyers.com|access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Leigh|title=Maid in Strauss-Kahn case pares down legal team|url=http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/New_York/News/2011/06_-_June/Maid_in_Strauss-Kahn_case_pares_down_legal_team|publisher=Thomson Reuters|access-date=8 June 2011}}</ref> Thompson hired a Paris lawyer to look for women in France who may have been victimized by Strauss-Kahn.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Heather|title=Strauss-Kahn accuser looks for possible 'victims'|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/06/23/MN5M1K1S38.DTL|access-date=26 June 2011|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|agency=Bloomberg News}}</ref>
On May 14, 2011, Strauss-Kahn was arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a hotel maid at the ] in Manhattan earlier that day. After calling the hotel asking to have them bring his missing cell phone to the airport, he was met by police and taken from his ]-bound flight at New York City's ] minutes before takeoff and was later charged on several counts, including attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment. Strauss-Kahn was held at a police precinct prior to his initial court appearance.<ref name=WP1>, ''Washington Post'', May 14, 2011</ref>


Strauss-Kahn appeared in court on May 16 before New York City Criminal Court judge Melissa Jackson. During the proceedings the prosecution stated that the housekeeper, Diallo, an immigrant asylee from the West African state of ],<ref name="BBC_2011-05-24">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13519035|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn DNA 'linked to maid'|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 June 2011}}</ref> had provided a detailed account of the alleged assault, had picked Strauss-Kahn out of a lineup, and that ] evidence recovered at the site was being tested.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703509104576327214085505544|title=Judge Jails IMF Chief In Sexual-Assault Case|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=17 May 2011|first=Sean|last=Gardiner}}</ref> Strauss-Kahn, who had earlier agreed to a ], pleaded not guilty.<ref>{{cite news|title=City of New York Against Dominique Strauss-Kahn|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/16/nyregion/20110516-Strauss-Kahn-complaint.html|access-date=19 May 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="cbs">{{cite news|title=IMF Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting housekeeper|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/imf-director-dominique-strauss-kahn-pleads-not-guilty-to-sexually-assaulting-housekeeper/|last=Mann|first=Camille|date=16 May 2011|access-date=24 May 2011|work=CBS}}</ref> Judge Jackson denied his bail request stating that the fact that Strauss-Kahn was apprehended on a departing airplane "rais some concerns".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/nyregion/imf-chief-is-held-without-bail.html?pagewanted=all|work=The New York Times|first=John|last=Eligon|title=I.M.F. Chief Is Held Without Bail|date=16 May 2011}}</ref>
According to the woman's account, while she was cleaning his suite Strauss-Kahn lunged from the bathroom naked, chased her down a hallway and pulled her into a bedroom.<ref>{{cite news|title=IMF Chief Ordered Held Without Bail in Sexual Assault Case|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/16/imf-chief-held-without-bail/|accessdate=24 May 2011|date=16 May 2011}}</ref> She alleged that she was sexually assaulted, but eventually fought him off and told hotel staff about the incident, who then called police.<ref name=WP1/> Strauss-Kahn may have been injured in the course of her escape. Police later collected ] from the hotel suite.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110518/ap_on_bi_ge/imf_head_assault</ref><ref name="ABCbail"> , ], May 19, 2011.</ref><ref name="Winter">{{cite news | url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/23/exclusive-dsk-told-maid-dont-you-know-who-i-am-during-alleged-sex-attack/ | work=Fox News | title=Strauss-Kahn Told Maid 'Don’t You Know Who I Am?' During Alleged Sex Attack | last=Winter | first=Jana | date=2011-05-23 | accessdate=2011-05-26 }}</ref> A ] was used to obtain evidence from the alleged victim.<ref name="winter2">{cite news | work=Fox News | date=2011-05-16 | accessdate=2011-05-26 | last=Winter | first=Jana | title=IMF Chief Ordered Held Without Bail in Sexual Assault Case | url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/16/imf-chief-held-without-bail/#ixzz1NUxAwUBL}}</ref>


On 19 May, Strauss-Kahn was indicted by a Manhattan ] on seven criminal counts, two of which were first-degree criminal sexual acts, each punishable by a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/05/strauss-kahn-indicted-new-york-grand-jury/37936|title=Strauss-Kahn to Be Freed on $1&nbsp;Million Bail|work=the Atlantic wire|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=19 May 2011|access-date=4 June 2011}}</ref> On that date ] Justice Michael J. Obus granted Strauss-Kahn's bail request,<ref>{{cite news|last=Eligon|first=John|title=Strauss-Kahn Is Indicted and Will Soon Leave Jail|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/nyregion/grand-jury-indicts-former-imf-chief.html|access-date=12 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=19 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/nyregion/grand-jury-indicts-former-imf-chief.html?pagewanted=all|work=The New York Times|first=John|last=Eligon|title=Grand Jury Indicts Former I.M.F. Chief|date=19 May 2011}}</ref> which was set at {{Nowrap|$1 million}} with the additional restrictions of 24-hour home detention and an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.<ref name=Telegraph>, ''The Daily Telegraph'', 19 May 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/legal-analyst-strauss-kahn-case-will-go-away/|title=Legal analyst: Strauss-Kahn case will "go away"|publisher=CBS News|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>
On May 16, Strauss-Kahn appeared in ] before Judge Melissa Carow Jackson. A prosecutor said that the housekeeper had provided a detailed account of the alleged assault, had picked Strauss-Kahn out of a lineup, and that ] evidence recovered at the site was being tested.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703509104576327214085505544.html |title=Judge Jails IMF Chief In Sexual-Assault Case |publisher=Wall Street Journal |accessdate=17 May 2011}}</ref> Strauss-Kahn, who had earlier agreed to a ], entered a plea of not guilty to the seven criminal counts.<ref>{{cite news|title=City of New York Against Dominique Strauss-Kahn|url=http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/16/nyregion/20110516-Strauss-Kahn-complaint.html|accessdate=19 May 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="cbs">{{cite news | title=IMF Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting housekeeper | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20063305-504083.html | last=Mann | first=Camille | date=2011-05-16 | accessdate=2011-05-24 | work=CBS }}</ref> After an initial defense request for {{Nowrap|$1 million}} ] had been rejected due to concerns of his being a ], he was ] to jail.


After Strauss-Kahn turned over his passport and posted an additional {{Nowrap|$5 million}} bail bond,<ref name="CSM9">, '']'', 19 May 2011.</ref> he was placed under house arrest in a residence<ref>{{cite news|author=Dominic Rushe in New York|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/20/dominique-strauss-kahn-new-york-apartment|title=Former IMF chief released from jail|work=The Guardian|location=UK|access-date=1 July 2011|date=21 May 2011}}</ref> in ].<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Strauss-Kahn Finds a New Home|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/strauss-kahn-finds-new-home/?scp=1&sq=153%20franlin&st=cse|first=John|last=Eligon|date=25 May 2011}}</ref>
==Indictment and pre-trial==
On May 19, 2011, Strauss-Kahn was indicted by a Manhattan ] on seven criminal counts, the most serious of which is Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class B violent felony (two counts).<ref name="Vance">{{cite web | url=http://manhattanda.org/press-release/district-attorney-vance-announces-indictment-dominique-strauss-kahn-sexual-assault-cha | work=New York County District Attorney | title=District Attorney Cyrus Vance Announces Indictment of Dominque Straus-Kahn on Sexual Assault Charges | date=2011-05-19 | accessdate=2011-05-25 | quote=According to the documents filed in court, on May 14, 2011, STRAUSS-KAHN shut the door of his hotel room, thereby preventing the victim, a member of the hotel’s room attendant staff, from leaving. He grabbed the victim’s chest without consent, attempted to remove her pantyhose, and forcibly grabbed the victim’s vaginal area. His penis made contact with the victim’s mouth twice through the use of force.}}</ref><ref>
"Dominique Strauss-Kahn Indicted on Seven Counts",
''ABC News'', May 19, 2011, webpage:
[http://abcnews.go.com/US/dominque-strauss-kahn-indicted<!--
-->-counts/story%3Fid%3D13640402 ABC402].
</ref><ref name="mfox2">{{cite news
| url=http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/strauss-kahn-bail-hearing-20110519
| title=Strauss-Kahn Indicted, Granted Bail
| date=20 May 2011 |publisher=Fox New York}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://media2.myfoxny.com/pdf/strausskahnindictment.pdf|title=Strauss-Kahn indictment|author=New York State Unified Court System|publisher=Fox New York|accessdate=20 May 2011}}</ref> These two counts are punishable by a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.<ref name="AFP_sentence">{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110516/ts_alt_afp/imfuscrimefrance|title=IMF chief denied bail over alleged sex assault|publisher=Yahoo News|author=Sebastian Smith|date=May 16, 2011}}</ref> If he were ], he could face a maximum sentence of 74 years on all counts; however, when multiple charges arise for a single criminal event, the maximum sentence is generally limited to that of the most serious charge.<ref name="AFP_sentence"/>


On 24 May, it was reported that DNA tests of the ] found on Diallo's shirt had shown a match with the DNA sample from Strauss-Kahn.<ref name="BBC_2011-05-24"/>
The ] conducted a legal review to determine that Strauss-Kahn does not have ].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/political-economy/post/imf-chief-will-note-get-diplomatic-immunity-state-dept-says/2011/05/17/AFFimx5G_blog.html | work=Washington Post | title=IMF chief will note(sic) get diplomatic immunity, State Dept. says | date=2011-05-17 |last=Sheridan | first=Mary Beth | accessdate =2011-05-25}}</ref>


He was arraigned on June 6 and pleaded not guilty.<ref name="cnn060611">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/06/06/new.york.imf.case/index.html|title=Ex-IMF chief Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty at arraignment|publisher=CNN|access-date=6 June 2011}}</ref> Outside the court, lawyers for the parties made statements. Benjamin Brafman, for Strauss-Kahn, said: "In our judgment, once the evidence has been reviewed, it will be clear that there was no element of forcible compulsion in this case whatsoever. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply not credible." Kenneth Thompson, Diallo's lawyer, said all of Strauss-Kahn's power, money and influence would not stop the truth from coming out.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rushe|first=Dominic|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn denies attempted rape and sexual assault|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/06/dominique-strauss-kahn-not-guilty|access-date=7 June 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|date=6 June 2011|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930113628/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/07/dominique-strauss-kahn-denies-attempted-rape|archive-date=30 September 2013|url-status=live|quote=Strauss-Kahn's lawyers say forensic evidence does not support a forcible encounter. "In our judgment, once the evidence has been cleared, it will be clear that there was no element of forcible compulsion in this case whatsoever. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply not credible," said Ben Brafman, his lawyer. Thompson said: "The victim wants you to know that all of Dominique Strauss-Kahn's power, money and influence throughout the world do not keep the truth about what he did to her in that hotel room from coming out. And that despite the smear campaign that is being committed against her, she is standing up for her dignity as a woman. "She's standing up for her self-respect as a woman. And she is standing up for all women and children around the world who have been sexually assaulted or sexually abused and are too afraid to say something."}}</ref><ref name=NYTimes6-6>, ''The New York Times'', 6 June 2011.</ref>
Strauss-Kahn has hired New York lawyer ] as his defense attorney.<ref name=vancouver>, ''Vancouver Sun'', May 15, 2011</ref> He is also reportedly seeking public relations advice from a Washington-based consulting firm.<ref name=HuffPo>, ''The Huffington Post'', US, May 20, 2011</ref>


===Prosecution disclosures===
At the same hearing, New York State Supreme Court Judge, Michael Obus, conditioned his release on {{Nowrap|$1 million}} cash-bail, with 24-hour per day home detention with electronic monitoring.<ref name=Telegraph>, ''Telegraph'', UK, May 19, 2011</ref> After Strauss-Kahn turned over his passport and posted an additional {{Nowrap|$5 million}} bail bond,<ref name="CSM9"/> he was placed under ] on May 20, 2011.<ref></ref>
On 30 June 2011, the district attorney sent a letter to Strauss-Kahn's defense team disclosing information about the housekeeper.<ref name="ADA letter">{{cite web|title=Letter from the New York District Attorney to the defense in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case.|url=http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/213940-das-office-to-w-taylor-b-and-brafman.html|publisher=]|access-date=11 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610211253/http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/213940-das-office-to-w-taylor-b-and-brafman.html|archive-date=10 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>


Prosecutors met with Strauss-Kahn's defense team the same day. That evening '']'' reported the case as being on the verge of collapse and quoted law-enforcement officials as saying investigators had uncovered major holes in the housekeeper's credibility.<ref name=NYT6-30/> Following Strauss-Kahn's release on bail the following day, the same paper reported that Diallo had admitted she lied about the events immediately following her encounter with Strauss-Kahn. She had initially said that after the alleged assault she waited in a hallway until Strauss-Kahn had left. She later said she cleaned an adjacent room, and then returned to Strauss-Kahn's room to clean there before reporting to her supervisor that she had been attacked. Among the discoveries were statements by Diallo to investigators differing from what she had put in her asylum application, her claiming to have only one phone while paying hundreds of dollars a month to five phone companies, and individuals, including known felons, depositing almost $100,000 into her bank account over the previous two years.<ref name="NYT7-2">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/nyregion/new-yorkers-and-french-await-latest-dominique-strauss-kahn-legal-turn.html|title=Strauss-Kahn Is Released as Case Teeters|work=The New York Times|first=John|last=Eligon|date=1 July 2011}}</ref>
Strauss-Kahn's release was delayed until the 20 May after residents of an apartment building, where his wife had organised accommodation, registered a complaint. He initally moved to an apartment maintained by the security guard company contracted to monitor him.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Strauss-Kahn Is Released From Jail | date=2011-05-20 | accessdate=2011-05-24 | last=Barron | first=James | work=New York Times | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/nyregion/strauss-kahn-still-seeking-a-home-after-he-leaves-jail.html?_r=1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/23/dominique-strauss-kahns-downtown-apartment-becomes-tourist-attraction-final-memo-to-staff-leaked/ | title=Sources Say DNA Matches Strauss-Kahn; Downtown Apartment Becomes Tourist Attraction | date=2011-05-23 | accessdate=2011-05-24}}(with audio link)</ref> On May 25, he moved to a four-bedroom brick town house<ref></ref> in Tribeca awaiting trial.<ref>{{cite web|work=New York Times | title=Strauss-Kahn Finds a New Home | url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/strauss-kahn-finds-new-home/?scp=1&sq=153%20franlin&st=cse | first=John | last=Eligon | date=2011-05-25}}</ref>


Also, Diallo told a compelling and detailed story of being gang raped by soldiers in ], which was completely fabricated. Over a two-week period she told the story to prosecutors twice. Both times with great emotion, precision, and conviction, including: tears; halting speech; the number and nature of her attackers; pointing out scars that were supposedly from the attack; and how her 2-year old daughter was present. When she finally admitted that the story was fabricated, she at first said that she made up the attack to be consistent with her asylum application. But that too turned out to be untrue—as her asylum application makes no mention of any gang rape.<ref name=NYTFalseTale>{{cite news|last=Dwyer|first=Jim|title=With False Tale About Gang Rape, Strauss-Kahn Case Crumbles|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/nyregion/housekeepers-false-tale-undid-strauss-kahn-case.html|access-date=1 September 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=23 August 2011}}</ref><ref name=TimeWeaker>{{cite news|last=Rawlings|first=Nate|title=Weaker but Not Lost: The Case Against Strauss-Kahn|url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2081204,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704015710/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2081204,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 4, 2011|access-date=1 September 2011|newspaper=Time Magazine|date=1 July 2011}}</ref><ref name=Letter>{{cite news|title=Letter From District Attorney to Defense in Strauss-Kahn Case|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/07/01/nyregion/20110701-Strauss-Kahn-letter.html?hp|access-date=1 September 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=30 June 2011|author=Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, Assistant District Attorney|author2=John (Artie) McConnell, Assistant District Attorney}}</ref>
Brafman stated in the initial bail application that "The forensic evidence, we believe, are not consistent with forcible encounter"<ref>{{cite news | first=Emily | last=Ngo | date=2011-05-16 | accessdate=2011-05-25 | title=IMF chief deemed flight risk, his lawyers dispute evidence | url=http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/imf-chief-deemed-flight-risk-his-lawyers-dispute-evidence-1.2881004 | work=AMNY}}</ref><ref name="ax1">{{cite news | url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/18/us-strausskahn-defense-idUSTRE74H7DB20110518 | work=Reuters | title=Strauss-Kahn may attempt a consensual sex defense |date= 2011-05-18 | accessdate=2011-05-25 | last=Ax | first=Joseph }}</ref> and following his statement there has been a consensus among legal analysts that the defense will argue "consensual sex" occurred.<ref name="ax1"/><ref name="Bloomberg May 25, 2011 Evidence forced sex">{{cite web | title=Strauss-Kahn Evidence of Forced Sex Would Undercut Consent Claim | url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-05-25/strauss-kahn-evidence-of-forced-sex-would-undercut-consent-claim.html | work=Bloomberg Businessweek | accessdate=2011-05-25 | date=2011-05-25 | last=Freifeld | first=Karen}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn DNA 'linked to maid'| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13519035 | date=2011-05-25 | accessdate=2011-05-25 |work=BBC News|accessdate=2011-05-25}}</ref>


In addition, the prosecution learned that, the day following the alleged assault, the housekeeper had made a phone call in her native ] to her boyfriend in an immigration detention center.<ref name=NYT-7-1b/><ref>{{cite news|title=Maid's 'Fiancé' Speaks|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/07/13/dominique-strauss-kahn-accuser-s-detained-fianc-speaks.html|access-date=13 July 2011|newspaper=]|date=13 July 2011|author1=Christine Pelisek|author2=Terry Greene Sterling|author3=Christopher Dickey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314072134/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/07/13/dominique-strauss-kahn-accuser-s-detained-fianc-speaks.html|archive-date=14 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' quoted a law enforcement official as saying that a translation of the call revealed she had used words to the effect of "Don't worry, this guy has a lot of money. I know what I'm doing." Prosecutors said that the conversation, one of at least three they recorded, raised "very troubling" questions about the credibility of the accuser "because she discussed the possible benefits of pursuing charges against a wealthy man."<ref name="nyt-letter"/><ref name=Rashbaum/> According to ''The New York Times'', the translation of the call "alarmed prosecutors" as being another in a "series of troubling statements."<ref name=NYT-7-1b>{{cite news|title=Strauss-Kahn Accuser's Call Alarmed Prosecutors|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/nyregion/one-revelation-after-another-undercut-strauss-kahn-accusers-credibility.html?pagewanted=1&sq=kenneth%20thompson&st=cse&scp=1|access-date=4 July 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1 July 2011|author1=Jim Dwyer|author2=Michael Wilson|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> After obtaining the recorded audio from the call, the accuser's attorney countered that it was the inmate who expressed fear about the financial power of DSK and Nafissatou merely dismissed his fears by saying that her lawyer knew what he was doing.<ref name=GUA-7-29>{{cite news|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn accuser not a 'scheming opportunist', lawyer insists|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/28/dominique-strauss-kahn-nafissatou-diallo-tapes|access-date=29 July 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Peter Walker and agencies|location=London, UK}}</ref>
==French reaction==
Many notable politicians in France, along with the general public, strongly criticized the U.S. media for its handling of Strauss-Kahn after the event. According to Hugh Schofield of the ] (BBC), images of his arrest by newspapers and television "provoked a national trauma in France far deeper than anyone could have imagined," and might serve to awaken "anti-Americanism that is latent in many French souls. ... such humiliating pictures would never be taken in France - indeed the ] bans 'degrading' photographs of prisoners awaiting trial."<ref name=BBC19/><ref>{{cite news|last=Brogan|first=Benedict|title=Why the image of DSK in cuffs shocks France|url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/benedictbrogan/100088258/why-the-image-of-dsk-in-cuffs-shocks-france/|accessdate=22 May 2011|newspaper=]|date=17 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Levy|first=Bernard-Henri|title=Stop the Attack Dogs on Strauss-Kahn and Protect the Indicted|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-05-23/bernard-henri-levy-stop-the-attack-dogs-on-strauss-kahn-and-protect-the-indicted/?cid=hp:beastoriginalsR1|work=]|accessdate=25 May 2011}}</ref>


Thompson, the accuser's attorney, challenged the prosecutors' handling and interpretation of the phone call and asked them to withdraw and appoint a special prosecutor.<ref name=Rashbaum>{{cite news|title=Strauss-Kahn Won't Plead Guilty to Any Charges, His Lawyers Say|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/nyregion/strauss-kahn-wont-plead-guilty-to-any-charges-lawyers-say.html|access-date=7 July 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=6 July 2011|author1=William K. Rashbaum|author2=John Eligon|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> The prosecutors declined to recuse their office, saying Thompson's request was without merit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vance unmoved by call for his recusal from Strauss-Kahn case|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/07/06/new.york.strauss.kahn|access-date=July 7, 2011|publisher=CNN|date=7 July 2011|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Winter|first=Jana|title=Lawyer for Maid in IMF Sexual Assault Case Calls for Special Prosecutor|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/lawyer-for-maid-in-imf-sexual-assault-case-calls-for-special-prosecutor/|access-date=6 July 2011|publisher=Fox News|date=7 July 2011|agency=AP}}</ref>
Former French justice minister ] claimed that the media's images of Strauss-Kahn at the police station the morning after his arrest were an expression of "unheard-of brutality, cruelty and violence".<ref name=BBC19>{{cite web|last=Schofield|first=Hugh|title=A national trauma: France, Strauss-Kahn and US justice|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13464257|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC}}</ref> Strauss-Kahn's socialist friends were "unanimous in their condemnation of the way Strauss-Kahn has been treated in the U.S.",<ref name=BBC19/> including party leader ] who reportedly broke down in tears. ], a former ] and ], said he couldn't understand why Strauss-Kahn had been refused bail since "no-one had died," and described the published images of Strauss-Kahn as a "lynching."<ref>{{cite news|last=Davies|first=Lizzy|title=How Dominique Strauss-Kahn's arrest awoke a dormant anger in the heart of France's women|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/22/dominique-strauss-kahn-arrest-dormant-anger-france-women?intcmp=122|accessdate=21 May 2011|newspaper=]|date=21 May 2011}}</ref><ref></ref><ref name=Economist/>


===Subsequent events===
], leader of the ], described Strauss-Kahn as ''un harceleur quasi-pathologique'' ("a near-pathological harasser") and lambasted both the ruling ] and Socialist parties for ignoring his flaws.<ref>{{cite news|last=Parussini|first=Gabriele|title=FN's Le Pen: 'Harasser' Strauss-Kahn's Fall Expected|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110519-705532.html|accessdate=24 May 2011|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=19 May 2011}}</ref> ], a UMP member of the ], remarked that the allegations were "a humiliation for France abroad and for French politics."<ref>{{cite web|title=IMF chief's arrest rocks French presidential race|url=http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/05/15/general-eu-imf-head-france_8467395.html|publisher=]|accessdate=23 May 2011}}</ref><ref>, ''Le Figaro'', May, 16, 2011.</ref>
The morning after the prosecution's disclosures, in a brief court hearing in which prosecutors said they had reassessed the strength of their case, Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest on his own ] without bail.<ref name=NYT6-30>{{cite news|title=Strauss-Kahn Prosecution Said to Be Near Collapse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/nyregion/strauss-kahn-case-seen-as-in-jeopardy.html?pagewanted=1&hp|access-date=1 July 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=30 June 2011|author=Jim Dwyer, William K. Rashbaum and John Eligon}}</ref><ref name="cbsnews2">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dominique-strauss-kahn-freed-from-house-arrest/|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn freed from house arrest|date=1 July 2011|place=New York|publisher=CBS News}}</ref> His passport remained surrendered although he was free to travel within the US.<ref name="PSB">{{cite news|title=Strauss-Kahn Released From House Arrest as Case Enters Legal Limbo|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/international/july-dec11/imf1_07-01.html|access-date=9 July 2011|newspaper=]|date=1 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Strauss-Kahn free to travel in U.S.|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/World/1251561.html}}</ref> After the hearing, Kenneth Thompson, the housekeeper's attorney, defended his client: "It's a fact that the victim here has made some mistakes, but that doesn't mean she's not a rape victim."<ref name="NYT-7-1b"/>


The next scheduled hearing was postponed twice, from 18 July–1 August 2011, and then again to August 23, with the prosecutors saying that they needed more time for further investigation and defense saying they hoped it would lead to a dismissal of charges.<ref>{{cite news|last=Samuel|first=Henry|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn sent a text message to Tristane Banon asking: 'Do I scare you?'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/dominique-strauss-kahn/8632592/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-sent-a-text-message-to-Tristane-Banon-asking-Do-I-scare-you.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712220526/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/dominique-strauss-kahn/8632592/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-sent-a-text-message-to-Tristane-Banon-asking-Do-I-scare-you.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 July 2011|access-date=13 July 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=12 July 2011|location=London, UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/strausskann-idUSN1E76P1TK20110726|title=Strauss-Kahn rape case hearing delayed again|access-date=26 July 2011|work=Reuters}}</ref>
] (former socialist, leader of the ]) and ] (French politician, member of the ]) were amongst some 15,000 people who signed a petition protesting ] in the wake of the scandal.<ref>{{cite web|last=Faure|first=Estelle|title=Contre le sexisme : « Nous sommes tous des domestiques »|url=http://www.rue89.com/2011/05/23/contre-le-sexisme-nous-sommes-tous-des-domestiques-205316|publisher=Rue89|accessdate=25 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sexisme : ils se lâchent, les femmes trinquent|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2011/05/21/sexisme-ils-se-lachent-les-femmes-trinquent_1525179_3232.html|publisher=]|accessdate=25 May 2011}}</ref>


====Civil lawsuits====
Strauss-Kahn's wife, ], was in Paris when he was arrested.<ref name=NYT21>, ''New York Times'', May 21, 2011</ref> The following day she issued a statement backing her husband, before flying to Manhattan where she stood ] for his $1 million bail. In response to questions, Sinclair stated, "I don’t believe for a single second the accusations of sexual assault by my husband."<ref name=NYT21/> Despite these "new strains" in their 20-year marriage, friends of the couple said their relationship remained strong, and that the allegations were unlikely to separate them.<ref name=AP-5-23> , ''Associated Press'' (AP), May 23, 2011</ref> His second wife, Brigitte Guillemette, said it was "unthinkable and impossible that he would have raped a chambermaid."<ref name=Telegraph17>, ''The Telegraph'', May 17, 2011</ref>
On 8 August 2011, Diallo filed a civil action against Strauss-Kahn in the ], ].<ref>, ''The Guardian'', 9 August 2011.</ref><ref>, ''The Wall Street Journal''; retrieved 25 August 2011.</ref> On 15 May 2012, a few days after the French election for president, Strauss-Kahn filed a countersuit against Diallo for making "baseless accusations that had cost him his job as managing director of the International Monetary Fund and 'other professional opportunities'."<ref name=NYT5-15-12>, ''The New York Times'', 15 May 2012.</ref> Until his arrest, Strauss-Kahn was considered to be a likely candidate to run against the incumbent president, Nicolas Sarkozy.<ref>, ''Reuters'', 15 May 2012.</ref>


Diallo's lawsuit was settled, together with Strauss-Kahn's countersuit, for an undisclosed amount on 10 December 2012. A separate suit against the '']'', who had reported she was a prostitute, was settled at the same time. Diallo's attorney, Kenneth Thompson, described Diallo as a strong and courageous woman who had never lost faith in the American system of justice.<ref name="Daily News 10 December 2012">{{cite news|title=Chambermaid Nafissatou Diallo and Dominique Strauss-Kahn settle civil lawsuits stemming from alleged hotel rape|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/dsk-hotel-maid-settle-civil-lawsuits-rape-charges-article-1.1217140|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=10 December 2012|author=Vera Chinese|author2=Daniel Beekman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517152723/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/dsk-hotel-maid-settle-civil-lawsuits-rape-charges-article-1.1217140|archive-date=17 May 2013|url-status=live|quote='I thank everyone who supported me all over the world,' Diallo says leaving courthouse}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=7wA9KHU1aeQ|title="Judge: Strauss-Kahn, NYC Hotel Maid Settle Suit"}}</ref> Previous news reports emanating from '']'' that Strauss-Kahn was settling for $6 million were denied by both parties.<ref>{{cite news|title=Strauss-Kahn Talks With the Maid. $6 Million? That's Another Story|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-30/strauss-kahn-lawyers-deny-reports-he-settled-suit-with-maid|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203200205/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-30/strauss-kahn-lawyers-deny-reports-he-settled-suit-with-maid|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 3, 2012|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=30 November 2012|author=Chris Dolmetsch|author2=Heather Smith}}</ref>
Immediately following the arrest, there was speculation in ] and ] such as ] that Strauss-Kahn might have been the victim of a ]..<ref>{{Cite news|url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8515360/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-minister-doesnt-rule-out-set-up.html|title= Dominique Strauss-Kahn: minister doesn't rule out 'set up'|work=]|date = 1 November 2010|accessdate=1 November 2010}}
</ref><ref name = "stitchUp">{{Cite news|url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8516275/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-Was-it-a-stitch-up.html|title= Dominique Strauss-Kahn: Was it a stitch-up?
|work= ]|date = 16 May 2011|accessdate=16 May 2011}}</ref> In an interview with '']'' on April 28, 2011, Strauss-Kahn himself had stated that he was "worried his political opponent, ], would try to frame him with a fake rape...".<ref>{{cite news|last=Guiral|first=Antoine|title=«Oui, j’aime les femmes, et alors?»|url=http://www.liberation.fr/politiques/01012337606-oui-j-aime-les-femmes-et-alors|accessdate=24 May 2011|newspaper=]|date=17 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=NBC>
Drennen, Kyle. [http://online.wsj.com/article/<!--
-->SB10001424052748703421204576329690735300066.html?mod=googlenews_wsj "NBC Sympathizes With Disgraced IMF <!--
-->Chief, Promotes Conspiracy Theory He Was 'Set Up'"],
''Wall Street Journal'', 18 May 2011.
</ref> Paris politician and noted advocate of ] ] said she was convinced there was an international plot to frame him.<ref name = "stitchUp" /> Strauss-Kahn's political opponents also expressed doubts: ], a minister from the ruling UMP party, stated "one cannot exclude thinking about a setup."<ref name=Economist/>


'']'' later reported the settlement as for $1.5 million, of which Diallo received a little less than $1 million after fees. ''JDD'' noted that negotiations between the parties had commenced after an application for diplomatic immunity by Strauss-Kahn had been rejected by the judge. Settling the suit meant that Strauss-Kahn avoided a long and humiliating examination in court.<ref>{{cite news|title=Un million de dollars pour Nafissatou Diallo|url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Societe/Justice/Actualite/Le-montant-de-l-accord-DSK-Diallo-revele-dans-le-JDD-586999|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=19 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729020820/http://www.lejdd.fr/Societe/Justice/Actualite/Le-montant-de-l-accord-DSK-Diallo-revele-dans-le-JDD-586999|archive-date=29 July 2013|url-status=live|language=fr|quote="I want a better life for my child" ("Je veux une meilleure vie pour mon enfant.") Lundi 10 décembre, dans le secret de la salle des négociations du tribunal du Bronx, Nafissatou Diallo n'a pas trouvé d'autres mots pour commenter le contrat qui lui était soumis}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Buetnner|first=Russ|title=Judge in Civil Case Rejects Immunity for Strauss-Kahn|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/nyregion/strauss-kahns-claim-of-diplomatic-immunity-is-rejected.html?_r=0|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=1 May 2012|quote=Justice Douglas E. McKeon of State Supreme Court in the Bronx characterized Mr. Strauss-Kahn's attempt to claim diplomatic immunity as "his own version of a Hail Mary pass," noting that he had resigned from his position as the head of the International Monetary Fund before the suit was filed.}}</ref>
Two days after his arrest, a poll found that some 57% of the French public believed he was the "victim of a smear campaign".<ref name=FT>, ''Financial Times'', Paris, 18 May 2011</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.csa.eu/multimedia/data/sondages/data2011/opi20110516-les-premieres-consequences-politiques-de-l-affaire-dsk.pdf |title=Les premières conséquences politiques de l'affaire DSK |format=pfd |page=3 |publisher=Sondage exclusif CSA |accessdate=20 may 2011}}</ref> '']'' commented that the poll was a violation of the ], which protects the rights of a person under investigation, calling the conspiracy theories a sign of a "democracy in regression".<ref>{{cite web|title=Strauss-Kahn Conspiracy Theories And The State Of French Democracy|url=http://www.worldcrunch.com/strauss-kahn-conspiracy-theories-and-state-french-democracy/3119|work=Le Monde|publisher=WordCrunch|accessdate=24 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Théorie du complot et régression démocratique|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2011/05/19/theorie-du-complot-et-regression-democratique_1524341_3232.html|accessdate=24 May 2011|newspaper=Le Monde|date=19 May 2011}}</ref>


===Dismissal of case===
On May 17, ] published the name of the alleged victim. It reported that there were conflicting accounts of her ]. It said that Strauss-Kahn lawyers were surprised to find her ''très peu séduisante'' ("very unattractive") but quoted a taxi-driver as saying she had ''de gros seins et de belles fesses'' ("big tits and a nice ass").<ref name= "Paris Match 17 May 2011">{{cite news|last=Desnos|first=Marie|title=(redacted), celle qui a fait tomber DSK|url=http://www.parismatch.com/Actu-Match/Monde/Actu/Nafissatou-Diallo-l-accusatrice-de-Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-292019/|accessdate=26 May 2011|newspaper=]}}</ref>
On 22 August 2011, prosecutors filed a recommendation for dismissal of all charges against Strauss-Kahn.<ref name="Motion for Dismissal">{{cite web|title=The People of the State of New York against Dominique Strauss-Kahn (Indictment No. 02526/2011): Recommendation for Dismissal|url=http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/238252-motion-to-dismiss-dominique-strauss-kahn-case.html|publisher=]|access-date=10 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527161224/http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/238252-motion-to-dismiss-dominique-strauss-kahn-case.html|archive-date=27 May 2013|url-status=live|quote=The prosecution has the burden at trial to prove the guilt of an accused beyond a reasonable doubt. For a host of reasons, including those set forth below, the complainant's untruthfulness makes it impossible to credit her. Because we cannot credit the complainant's testimony beyond a reasonable doubt, we cannot ask a jury to do so. The remaining evidence is insufficient to satisfy the elements of the charged crimes. We are therefore required, as both a legal and ethical matter, to move for dismissal of the indictment.}}</ref><ref>, ''The New York Times''; retrieved 25 August 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/nyregion/strauss-kahn-case-should-be-dropped-prosecutors-say.html|title=District Attorney Asks Judge to Drop Strauss-Kahn Case|author1=William K. Rashbaum|author2=John Eligon|work=]|date=August 23, 2011}}</ref> They told the court that inconsistencies in the accuser's testimony led to the decision to recommend all charges be dropped.<ref name="usa-today-charges-dropped">{{cite news|title=Judge dismisses assault charges against Strauss-Kahn|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/08/rape-case-against-former-imf-chief-set-to-be-dropped-today/1|access-date=23 August 2011|work=USA Today|first=Douglas|last=Stanglin}}</ref> Their decision to drop the case was based on a number of facts outlined in a 25-page document:


*The physical evidence indicated a sexual encounter but did not prove use of force or non-consent;<ref name=nyt110822>{{cite news|title=Judge Orders Dismissal of Charges Against Strauss-Kahn|work=The New York Times|access-date=23 August 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/nyregion/charges-against-strauss-kahn-dismissed.html|first=John|last=Eligon}}</ref>
As a result of the extensive publicity in France, women who have had intimate relations with Strauss-Kahn have offered personal impressions. French porn star ], for one, claims that she had sex with him, but insists that "he behaved like a gentleman." She spoke during an interview in Paris:
*The prosecution noted multiple instances of the accuser's untruthfulness, including fabricating the story that she was gang raped in her native ] to gain asylum in the U.S. (although her asylum application did not include it);
{{quote|"He was very nice. He wasn't a randy old man or hungry for women as he has been depicted. . .He was very kind, educated, he didn't behave like a drooling dog as can often happen (with other men). He treated us with kindness, he cuddled me. I know men, and he was not the violent type. . . He's just a playboy, that's all."<ref name=Telegraph5-27>, ''the Telegraph'', U.K., May 27, 2011</ref>}}
*Changing her version of the events before, during, and after the alleged assault.


Consequently, prosecutors stated they could no longer believe Diallo beyond a ], and could not expect any jury to do so either.<ref name=nyt110822/><ref>{{cite news|last=Dwyer|first=Jim|title=With False Tale About Gang Rape, Strauss-Kahn Case Crumbles|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/nyregion/housekeepers-false-tale-undid-strauss-kahn-case.html?_r=1|access-date=24 August 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=23 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14637803|work=BBC News|title=Strauss-Kahn New York sexual assault case dismissed|date=23 August 2011}}</ref> Diallo's attorney, Kenneth Thompson, publicly attacked DA ], claiming that Vance's office had been abusive to their client, had leaked false information, and sought to undermine Diallo's credibility; he requested a ] in the case which was later denied.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna44230772|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823125846/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44230772/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/#.TlKk37-9zQ4|url-status=live|archive-date=2011-08-23|title=Strauss-Kahn accuser wants special prosecutor}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-DSK-Rape-Case-Charges-Hearing-Maid-128153578.html|title=Prosecutors Prepare to Drop DSK Charges}}</ref>
== American reaction ==
]
The case has generated intense interest in American mainstream media and on social networking sites such as Twitter. On May 16, CBS News announced that a ] had begun because the case involved three elements of viewer interest: sex, politics, and money.<ref>{{cite news | title=The Strauss-Kahn media circus begins | work=CBS News | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500803_162-20063238-500803.html | first=Michelle | last=Miller | date=2011-05-16 | accessdate=2011-05-26}}</ref> On May 26, Strauss-Kahn's lawyers complained in a letter to Manhattan District Attorney ] that leaks, believed to have originated from the ], were feeding a "media-frenzy".<ref>{{cite news|title=Lawyers for Ex-IMF Head Complain of Leaks to Media|url=http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/05/26/us/AP-IMF-Leader-Assault.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=27 May 2011|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>


On 23 August 2011, all charges against Strauss-Kahn were dismissed as requested by the prosecution.<ref>, Politico.com; retrieved 26 August 2011.</ref> He returned to Paris on 3 September 2011.<ref name="nydn-return">{{cite news|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn leaves New York for France with family in tow|last=Trapaso|first=Clare|author2=Katie Nelson|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2011/09/03/2011-09-03_oui_are_so_outta_here_nyc.html|date=3 September 2011|work=New York Daily News}}</ref> On 9 September 2011, the accuser's attorney filed a civil suit against Strauss-Kahn in New York City,<ref name="reuters-civil-start">{{cite news|title=Civil suit against Strauss-Kahn moving forward|work=Thomson Reuters News & Insight|url=http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/New_York/News/2011/08_-_August/Civil_suit_against_Strauss-Kahn_moving_forward|first=Noeleen|last=Walder|date=23 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="cvil-court-date">{{cite web|url=http://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil/FCASCaseInfo?parm=CaseInfo&index=oUxF8NXfNLp5ysMqcNJgLg%3D%3D&county=Bqp3OYJZTK2A6hxg65fbhQ%3D%3D&motion=M&docs=&adate=09/09/2011|title=New York State Supreme Court (Bronx Co. Civil file no. (307065-2011)}}</ref> followed weeks later by a motion for dismissal by Strauss-Kahn.<ref name="nydn-civ-dimiss">{{cite news|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn claims he's too important to be sued in civil court case filing|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/09/26/2011-09-26_dominique_strausskahn_claims_hes_too_important_to_be_sued_in_civil_court_filing.html#ixzz1ZAVsNoQR|date=28 September 2011|work=New York Daily News|first=Helen|last=Kennedy}}</ref>
'']'' was criticized for identifying the victim by name.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.poynter.org/how-tos/newsgathering-storytelling/132801/live-chat-wednesday-how-should-journalists-handle-naming-of-women-involved-in-schwarzenegger-strauss-kahn-cases | title=Slate/France editor shares reason for publishing name of alleged rape victim in Strauss-Kahn case | last=Tenore | first=Mallary Jean | date=2011-05-19 | accessdate=2011-05-26 | work=]}}</ref> In the United States, the media common practice has been not to identify by name persons making an accusation of rape.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.justicejournalism.org/crimeguide/chapter05/chapter05_pg04.html | title=Interviewing Rape and Sexual Assault Victims | last=Hackney | first=Susan | work=Covering Crime and Justice | year=2010 | accessdate=2011-05-26}}</ref> The alleged victim was first identified in the French press by ] on May 17 and other newspapers quickly followed suite including the prestigious ''Le Monde'', considered the French ].<ref name= "Paris Match 17 May 2011"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Bernard|first=Philippe|title=La vie guinéenne de l'accusatrice de Dominique Strauss-Kahn|url=http://abonnes.lemonde.fr/dsk/article/2011/05/24/la-vie-guineenne-de-l-accusatrice-de-dominique-strauss-kahn_1526584_1522571.html|accessdate=27 May 2011|newspaper=]|date=24 May 2011}}</ref> These newspaper reports, which eventually included photographs and details of the alleged victim's personal life, even descriptions of her physical attractiveness, were condemned in numerous American blogs.<ref>{{cite web|title=French publish rape accuser's name: major media commit a serious breach of journalistic ethics|url=http://rapidsavr.com/french-publish-rape-accusers-name-major-media-commit-a-serious-breach-of-journalistic-ethics/}}</ref><ref name=>{{cite web|title=Paris Match Names Victim and Her Daughter in DSK Rape Case, Repeats Sexist and Disparaging Remarks About Her Appearance|work=Akron Law Café|publisher=Akron Beacon Journal|author=Professor Will Huhn|authorlink=http://www.ohioverticals.com/blogs/akron_law_cafe/2011/05/paris-match-names-victim-and-her-daughter-in-dsk-rape-case-repeats-sexist-and-disparaging-remarks-about-her-appearance/}}</ref>


On 18 September 2011, Strauss-Kahn was interviewed on French TV. He conceded that his encounter with Diallo in New York had been an error and a moral failure, but denied it was a criminal act. He accused Diallo of lying about the encounter.<ref>{{cite news|title=Strauss-Kahn Concedes 'Error' in Sexual Encounter With Maid|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/world/europe/in-interview-strauss-kahn-acknowledges-his-moral-failings.html|access-date=10 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=18 September 2011|author=Steven Erlanger|author2=Maïa de la Baume|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526195001/https://www.webcitation.org/6Il1VNcwo?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/world/europe/in-interview-strauss-kahn-acknowledges-his-moral-failings.html%3Fpagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=dominique&|archive-date=26 May 2024|url-status=live|quote=Dominique Strauss-Kahn said Sunday that his sexual encounter with a New York City hotel chambermaid was "an error" and "a moral failure" he would regret his whole life, but not a criminal act.}}</ref>
==Resignation and impact==
As a result of the allegations, and after being pressured by leading economic officials, Strauss-Kahn resigned from his position as head of the ] on May 18, 2011. In his letter of resignation he denied "with the greatest possible firmness" the allegations, saying that his resignation was to protect the institution.<ref name=VOA/>


==Conspiracy hypothesis==
In an interview with '']'' on 28 April 2011, Strauss-Kahn stated he was "worried his political opponent, ], would try to frame him with a fake rape".<ref>{{cite news|last=Guiral|first=Antoine|title=Oui, j'aime les femmes, et alors?|url=http://www.liberation.fr/politiques/01012337606-oui-j-aime-les-femmes-et-alors|access-date=24 May 2011|newspaper=]|location=France|date=17 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=NBC>Drennen, Kyle., ''The Wall Street Journal'', 18 May 2011.</ref> Paris politician and advocate of gender equality ] said she was convinced there was an international plot to frame him.<ref>{{cite web|title=AER Standing Committee on Equal Opportunities|url=http://www.aer.eu/main-issues/equal-opportunities.html|work=]|access-date=25 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="stitchUp">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8516275/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-Was-it-a-stitch-up.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519070838/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8516275/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-Was-it-a-stitch-up.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 May 2011|title= Dominique Strauss-Kahn: Was it a stitch-up?|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|access-date=16 May 2011|first=Our|last=Foreign}}</ref> A few days after his arrest, a poll showed that 57% of the French public believed he was the "victim of a smear campaign".<ref name=FT>, ''Financial Times'', Paris, 18 May 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csa.eu/multimedia/data/sondages/data2011/opi20110516-les-premieres-consequences-politiques-de-l-affaire-dsk.pdf|title=Les premières conséquences politiques de l'affaire DSK|format=pfd|page=3|publisher=Sondage exclusif CSA|access-date=20 May 2011}}</ref>

On 15 May, Strauss-Kahn's political opponent ], a minister for overseas co-operation in the ruling UMP party, stated, "one cannot exclude thinking about a setup."<ref name=Economist>, ''The Economist'', 19 May 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8515360/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-minister-doesnt-rule-out-set-up.html|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn: minister doesn't rule out 'set up'|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|date=15 May 2011|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> Russian Prime Minister ] expressed his personal doubts about the allegations.<ref name=Telegraph5-29>Osborn, Andrew , ''The Telegraph'' (UK), 29 May 2011.</ref>

On 27 November 2011, investigative journalist ] presented a minute-by-minute documentation of events, published in '']'', which involved the alleged assault, making a number of new allegations. An analysis of hotel door key and phone records tracing links to Strauss-Kahn's potential political rivals appeared to suggest the possibility that he had been ].<ref name=Guardian-11-26-11>{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Paul|title=New questions raised over Dominique-Strauss Kahn case|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/26/dominique-strauss-kahn-hotel-maid|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=26 November 2011|quote=In passages sure to delight Strauss-Kahn supporters and conspiracy theorists, Epstein's lengthy article studied hotel door key and phone records and traced links to Strauss-Kahn's potential political rivals, appearing to suggest the possibility that he had been set up.}}</ref><ref name=Epstein>]. , '']'', 22 December 2011.</ref> However the hotel where the alleged assault took place firmly rebuffed Epstein's suggestions of a conspiracy theory, denying a number of assertions in the report.<ref name=Telegraph-11-28-11>{{cite news|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn conspiracy theory denied by New York Sofitel|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=27 November 2011|first1=Peter|last1=Allen|first2=Jon|last2=Swaine|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/dominique-strauss-kahn/8918862/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-conspiracy-theory-denied-by-New-York-Sofitel.html|quote=... Accor Group, the French company which owns the Sofitel, yesterday firmly rebuffed Epstein's conspiracy theory, with its ex-director of security describing it as "absolute fantasy".}}</ref> ''The New York Review of Books'' subsequently corrected one of its allegations, reporting that a "dance of celebration" between two Sofitel employees lasted 13 seconds, not the 3 minutes originally reported, an issue that had been raised by ] in her '']'' examination of Epstein's piece.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davidson|first=Amy|title=Strauss-Kahn and the Dancing Men|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/2011/11/strauss-kahn-and-the-dancing-men.html|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=28 November 2011}}</ref><ref>, ''The New York Review of Books'', December 6, 2011</ref> Epstein later wrote that Strauss-Kahn now accepts that his enemies might not have set up his encounter with Diallo, but believes they did play a role, through ], in making sure that the hotel maid went to the police, turning a private tryst into a public scandal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Epstein|first=Edward Jay|title=Strauss-Kahn affair: 'Perhaps I was naive. I didn't believe they'd go that far'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/27/strauss-kahn-affair|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=27 April 2012|quote=In the more than two hours we speak, it becomes clear that Strauss-Kahn is convinced that his downfall was choreographed by his political enemies. They may not have gone so far as to set up the encounter with Diallo, he now accepts, but he believes they did play a role, through intercepted phone calls, in making sure that the hotel maid went to the police and thus turned a private tryst into a public scandal.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A Wrench in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn Conspiracy Theory|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/29/a-wrench-in-the-dominique-strauss-kahn-conspiracy-theory.html|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=29 April 2012|author=]}}</ref>

==Support and opposition==
Strauss-Kahn's wife, ], was in Paris when he was arrested. A week after the arrest, on 21 May 2011, she said: "I don't believe for a single second the accusations of sexual assault by my husband."<ref name=NYT21>, ''The New York Times'', 21 May 2011.</ref> Friends of the couple said their 20-year-old marriage remained strong despite the new strains and that the allegations were unlikely to separate them.<ref name=AP-5-23>, Associated Press, 23 May 2011.</ref>

While he was considered a womanizer and described by ''Le Journal du Dimanche'' as ''un grand séducteur'' ("a great seducer"),<ref>{{cite news|last=Bremner|first=Charles|title=Nicolas Sarkozy dismay as Dominique Strauss-Kahn in sex scandal|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4972855.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716020724/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4972855.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2011|access-date=12 June 2011|newspaper=The Times|date=20 October 2008|location=London, UK}}</ref> a number of close friends said the allegations were out of character.<ref>{{cite news|last=Love|first=Brian|title=The two faces of Dominique Strauss-Kahn|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-strausskahn-profile-idUSTRE74I6GM20110519|access-date=14 June 2011|work=Reuters|date=20 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=guardian>, ''Guardian'', UK, 3 June 2011.</ref>

His previous wife, Brigitte Guillemette, insisted that violence was not part of his temperament and that the allegations were "unthinkable and impossible".<ref name=Telegraph17>, ''The Daily Telegraph'' (UK), 17 May 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lazard|first=Violette|title=La deuxième épouse de DSK : "C'est impensable et impossible"|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/une/la-deuxieme-epouse-de-dsk-c-est-impensable-et-impossible-17-05-2011-1453548.php|access-date=13 February 2016|newspaper=]|date=17 May 2011|language=fr}}</ref> The Spanish writer Carmen Llera, a former lover, defended him in an open letter, declaring "violence is not part of his culture."<ref>, ''Reuters'', 20 May 2011.</ref> This conclusion is supported by Strauss-Kahn's biographer who claims that he was a "typical French lover, but he's not able to rape a woman."<ref name=biographer>, ''CNBC'', July 6, 2011 (video interview).</ref>

Journalist and essayist ] apologized for initially characterizing the allegations as a ''troussage de domestique'' (literally, stripping or having casual, forced sex with a servant) and said he would retire from journalism.<ref>{{cite news|last=Doucet|first=David|title=L'affaire DSK, un "troussage de domestique"? Kahn s'excuse|url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/l-affaire-dsk-un-troussage-de-domestique-kahn-s-excuse_994399.html|access-date=21 May 2011|newspaper=]|date=19 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lichfield|first=John|title=Feminists' anger at chauvinism of Strauss-Kahn affair|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/feminists-anger-at-chauvinism-of-strausskahn-affair-2287820.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/feminists-anger-at-chauvinism-of-strausskahn-affair-2287820.html |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=27 May 2011|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 May 2011|location=London}}</ref> ], leader of the ], said "I am utterly unsurprised...everyone in the Paris political village knew of Dominique Strauss-Kahn's pathologic relations with women",<ref>{{cite news|author=Moutet, Anne-Elisabeth|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8515714/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-A-Frenchman-sunk-by-a-sex-scandal.html|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn: A Frenchman sunk by a sex scandal?|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=16 May 2011|access-date=7 July 2011|location=London, UK}}</ref> and criticised both the ruling ] and Socialist parties for ignoring his flaws.<ref>{{cite news|last=Parussini|first=Gabriele|title=FN's Le Pen: 'Harasser' Strauss-Kahn's Fall Expected|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110519-705532.html|access-date=24 May 2011|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=19 May 2011}}</ref> ], a UMP member of the ], described Strauss-Kahn's behaviour as a humiliation for France.<ref>, ''Le Figaro'', 16 May 2011.</ref>

==Reactions==
French politicians were quick to respond, as were their counterparts in the rest of Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/67176/french-reaction-to-strausskahn-arrest|title=French reaction to Strauss-Kahn arrest|publisher=BuenosAiresHerald.com|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704281504576331511217316414|title=In Europe, Strauss-Kahn Views Vary|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=19 May 2011|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> The case prompted response from feminists in both the US and France, who criticised French coverage of the allegations and apparent dismissal of the woman's claims. The reaction led to a rally at the ] on 22 May 2011.<ref name=davies/> French sociologist Irène Théry published two articles in ''Le Monde'' commenting on the affair and defending French feminism against American attacks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Théry|first=Irène|title=La femme de chambre et le financier, par Irène Théry|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2011/05/23/la-femme-de-chambre-et-le-financier_1525953_3232.html|access-date=4 June 2011|newspaper=]|date=23 May 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Théry|first=Irène|title=Un féminisme à la française|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2011/05/28/un-feminisme-a-la-francaise_1528802_3232.html|access-date=4 June 2011|newspaper=Le Monde|date=29 May 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Pollitt|first=Katha|title=Dear France, We're So Over|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/160958/dear-france-were-so-over|access-date=1 June 2011|newspaper=]|date=25 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lichfiled|first=John|title=John Lichfield: The French more relaxed about sex? It's a myth|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/john-lichfield/john-lichfield-the-french-more-relaxed-about-sex-its-a-myth-2292848.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/john-lichfield/john-lichfield-the-french-more-relaxed-about-sex-its-a-myth-2292848.html |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=4 June 2011|newspaper=]|location=London}}</ref>

In response to the allegations ], the biggest union in the hospitality industry, said that hotels should provide sexual harassment training for workers. When Strauss-Kahn appeared in court on June 6, a group of room attendants, members of the New York Hotel Trades Council (NYHTC), arrived on a bus arranged by the union and demonstrated in front of the courtroom.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13667064|title=Ex-IMF chief Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty|publisher=The BBC|access-date=10 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Room Attendants rally to support Sofitel worker|url=http://www.nyhtc.org/secured.php?page=strausskahnarraignment|publisher=New York Hotel Workers' Union|access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref>

===Media coverage after arrest===
] in front of Strauss-Kahn's apartment]]
] noted that a ] had begun because the case involved three elements of viewer interest: sex, politics, and money.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Strauss-Kahn media circus begins|work=CBS News|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-strauss-kahn-media-circus-begins/|first=Michelle|last=Miller|date=16 May 2011|access-date=26 May 2011}}</ref> The media impact of the case after the arrest was measured by the French media analysis firm ]. They found that during the first ten days of the scandal, 'DSK' appeared on the front page of more than 150,000 newspapers around the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=L'affaire DSK: le summum du bruit médiatique|url=http://www.rfi.fr/france/20110526-affaire-dsk-le-bruit-mediatique-chiffres|access-date=4 June 2011|date=26 May 2011|publisher=]|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Marlowe|first=Lara|title=Media the front line as sides in Strauss-Kahn case set for a dirty war|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0604/1224298387743.html|access-date=4 June 2011|newspaper=]}}</ref>

On 17 May 2011, '']'' published the name of the housekeeper in a piece which included appraisals of her attractiveness.<ref name="Paris Match May 17, 2011">{{cite news|last=Desnos|first=Marie|title=Nafissatou Diallo, celle qui a fait tomber DSK|url=http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Nafissatou-Diallo-l-accusatrice-de-Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-149784|access-date=9 August 2013|newspaper=]|date=17 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613182715/http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Nafissatou-Diallo-l-accusatrice-de-Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-149784|archive-date=13 June 2013|url-status=live|language=fr|quote=Physiquement, les témoignages divergent. Les avocats de DSK auraient déclaré avoir été surpris de découvrir le visage «très peu séduisant» de l'accusatrice, à la comparution au cours de laquelle elle a formellement identifié celui qu'elle désigne comme étant son agresseur, rapporte RMC... Dans les colonnes de «France Soir», un chauffeur de taxi indien appelé Sony indique au contraire que le voiturier de l'hôtel lui aurait «dit que cette femme de ménage était une trentenaire très jolie, qu'elle avait de gros seins et de belles fesses.» Un des informateurs d'Europe 1 évoque aussi une femme «plutôt jolie». D'habitude, précise Mark Gangadeen, cette musulmane portait un pantalon de couleur foncée, un foulard sur la tête avec un imprimé tribal, et des chaussures plates.}}</ref> Other French newspapers quickly followed suit in naming her, eventually adding photos and details of her private life.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bernard|first=Philippe|title=La vie guinéenne de l'accusatrice de Dominique Strauss-Kahn|url=http://abonnes.lemonde.fr/dsk/article/2011/05/24/la-vie-guineenne-de-l-accusatrice-de-dominique-strauss-kahn_1526584_1522571.html|access-date=27 May 2011|newspaper=]|date=24 May 2011}}</ref>

On 14 June, '']'' followed the lead begun by other anglophone media in running an "unusually extensive" story on the housekeeper's background, while continuing to withhold her name.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lorriaux|first=Aude|title=Affaire DSK: attaquer l'image de la plaignante sera difficile|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2011/06/15/01003-20110615ARTFIG00599-affaire-dsk-attaquer-l-image-de-la-plaignante-sera-difficile.php|access-date=16 June 2011|newspaper=Le Figaro|language=fr}}</ref> In the United States, the media does not normally identify by name persons making an accusation of rape.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justicejournalism.org/crimeguide/chapter05/chapter05_pg04.html|title=Interviewing Rape and Sexual Assault Victims|last=Hackney|first=Susan|work=Covering Crime and Justice|year=2010|access-date=26 May 2011}}</ref>
] were condemned in France, where it is illegal to publish such photos before the subject is convicted.|alt=A white-haired man in a black overcoat and dress shirt with his hands behind his back at the center of a small group of men walking toward the camera. The two men on either side are wearing jackets with gold badges clipped to the lapels and ties. They are holding the arms of the man in the center. A fourth man, also in a jacket and tie, is visible in the rear.]]
Former French justice minister ], architect of a 2000 law on the presumption of innocence, said she found the televised images of Strauss-Kahn prior to the preliminary bail proceedings absolutely disgusting and described the coverage as a pre-trial indictment.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dunand|first=Emmanuel|title=Elisabeth Guigou: faire "très attention en France à l'équilibre des informations"|url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualites/1/politique/elisabeth-guigou-faire-tres-attention-en-france-a-l-equilibre-des-informations_993483.html|access-date=14 June 2011|newspaper=]|date=17 May 2011|agency=AFP|language=fr}}</ref> ], a former ] and ], described the published images of Strauss-Kahn as a lynching and wondered why Strauss-Kahn had not been granted bail at his first application since, according to Lang, the case was not that serious. He later apologised.<ref name=Economist/><ref name=davies>{{cite news|last=Davies|first=Lizzy|title=How Dominique Strauss-Kahn's arrest awoke a dormant anger in the heart of France's women|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/may/22/dominique-strauss-kahn-arrest-dormant-anger-france-women?intcmp=122|access-date=21 May 2011|newspaper=]|location=London, UK}}</ref>

Hugh Schofield of the ] reported that Strauss-Kahn's arrest and incarceration had provoked a ] in France far deeper than anyone could have imagined: images of Strauss-Kahn's post-arrest ] had "reawakened an anti-Americanism that is latent in many French souls. ... such humiliating pictures would never be taken in France – indeed the French law on the presumption of innocence bans 'degrading photographs of prisoners awaiting trial.'"<ref name=BBC19>{{cite news|last=Schofield|first=Hugh|title=A national trauma: France, Strauss-Kahn and US justice|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13464257|work=BBC News|date=19 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brogan|first=Benedict|title=Why the image of DSK in cuffs shocks France|url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/benedictbrogan/100088258/why-the-image-of-dsk-in-cuffs-shocks-france|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521000603/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/benedictbrogan/100088258/why-the-image-of-dsk-in-cuffs-shocks-france/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 May 2011|access-date=22 May 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=17 May 2011|location=London, UK}}</ref> ], the French philosopher and ], declared that Strauss-Kahn had already been found guilty in the court of public opinion.<ref name="Bernard-Henri Levy May 23, 2011">{{cite web|last=Levy|first=Bernard-Henri|title=Stop the Attack Dogs on Strauss-Kahn and Protect the Indicted|url=http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/20110524/ts_dailybeast/14290_bernardhenrilevystoptheattackdogsonstrausskahnandprotecttheindicted|work=]|access-date=25 May 2011}}</ref>

Following his release from house arrest on 1 July, ''The New York Times'', among other media, speculated as to whether he could revive his political career.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cowell|first=Alan|title=News of Turnaround in Dominique Strauss-Kahn Case Stuns France|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/world/europe/02france.html?hp|access-date=1 July 2011|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Strauss-Kahn could yet be French PM|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/strausskahn-could-yet-be-french-pm-2305982.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/strausskahn-could-yet-be-french-pm-2305982.html |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=3 July 2011|newspaper=The Independent|author=John Lichfield in Paris and David Usborne in New York|location=London, UK}}</ref> In France, Michèle Sabban asked that the ongoing French Socialist Party presidential primary be suspended to discuss the possibility of Strauss-Kahn's participation.<ref>, ''Los Angeles Times'', 2 July 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Affaire DSK : Michèle Sabban demande la suspension de la primaire PS|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/election-presidentielle-2012/primaire-PS/affaire-dsk-michele-sabban-demande-la-suspension-de-la-primaire-ps-01-07-2011-1348126_325.php|access-date=1 July 2011|newspaper=Le Point|language=fr}}</ref>

===Reactions to the dropping of all charges===
In March 2012, students at ] in the UK protested against Strauss-Kahn being allowed to speak on campus. Because of the original charges and the maid's allegations, a campus women's group opposed his visit, with 750 students signing a petition to withdraw his invitation.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

In defending their decision to invite him, the president of the ] explained that "we can't engage in any kind of judgement on people," while a university spokesperson added that the university "respects academic freedom and freedom of speech." A student protester who was interviewed defended the protests, saying "... we wanted to exercise our own freedom of speech as individuals and let the union know what we think."<ref>, ''BBC'', 9 March 2012.</ref>

==Resignation and impact==
===Economic=== ===Economic===
Strauss-Kahn resigned from his position as head of the IMF on 18 May 2011. In his letter of resignation he denied "with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations". He said he wanted to protect the IMF and devote all his energies to proving his innocence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2011/pr11187.htm|title=Press Release: IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn Resigns|publisher=Imf.org|date=18 May 2011|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> On June 14, the IMF announced two candidates had been shortlisted for the post of managing director of the IMF. These were ], governor of the Mexican central bank, and ], French finance minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/15/business/global/15imf.html|work=The New York Times|first=Jack|last=Ewing|title=Lagarde and Carstens Are the 2 Contenders for Top I.M.F. Post|date=14 June 2011}}</ref> On 28 June, the IMF announced they had selected Lagarde.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/dominique-strauss-kahn/8604209/Christine-Lagarde-the-IMF-statement-in-full.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183933/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/dominique-strauss-kahn/8604209/Christine-Lagarde-the-IMF-statement-in-full.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2011|title=Christine Lagarde: the IMF statement in full|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|date=28 June 2011|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>
His sudden resignation has led the IMF to search for a replacement, along with creating new political concerns. According to the '']'', "Without Strauss-Kahn at the helm, Europe is at risk of losing a key source of financial support in its efforts to contain the debt crisis buffeting the continent", including potential ] for nations such as Greece and Portugal.<ref name=WashPost18> ''Washington Post'', May 18, 2011</ref> U.S. economist ] agrees, stressing that because Strauss-Kahn was "an impressive leader of the IMF and re-established the credibility of the institution," the choice of his replacement is important, otherwise "the gains of the institution could easily be lost."<ref name=Telegraph21>, ''The Telegraph'', May 21, 2011</ref>


His sudden resignation led the IMF to search for a replacement and created new political worries. According to '']'', "Without Strauss-Kahn at the helm, Europe is at risk of losing a key source of financial support in its efforts to contain the debt crisis buffeting the continent", including potential financial ]s for nations such as Greece and Portugal.<ref name=WashPost18> ''Washington Post'', 18 May 2011.</ref> U.S. economist ] agreed, stressing that because Strauss-Kahn was "an impressive leader of the IMF and re-established the credibility of the institution," the choice of his replacement was important, otherwise "the gains of the institution could easily be lost."<ref name=Telegraph21>, ''The Telegraph'', 21 May 2011.</ref>
According to '']'', before Strauss-Kahn became head of the IMF, the fund's relevance to global finance was in question. However, his early endorsement of fiscal stimulus for the Eurozone during its financial crisis was accepted and acted upon, with new contributions to the fund being tripled in size. "The Greeks trusted him", writes ''The Economist'', and he was "one of the few non-] policymakers to have had influence over ]." "Whatever his personal failings, was an outstanding head of the IMF."<ref name=Economist2/> In addition, he championed the need to protect poor countries from the effects of ], helping the IMF become "kinder and gentler" to ].<ref name=Economist>, ''The Economist'', May 19, 2011</ref> As a result of his arrest, the IMF is in "turmoil," and the choice of his replacement has become "more urgent and more complicated."<ref name=Economist/>

According to ''The Economist'' magazine, before Strauss-Kahn became head of the IMF, the fund's relevance to global finance was in question. However, his early endorsement of fiscal stimulus for the Eurozone during its financial crisis had been accepted and acted upon, with new contributions to the fund being tripled in size. "The Greeks trusted him", it notes, and he was "one of the few non-German policymakers to have had influence over ] ... Whatever his personal failings, was an outstanding head of the IMF."<ref name=Economist2>, ''The Economist'', 19 May 2011.</ref> In addition, he had championed the need to protect poor countries from the effects of ], helping the IMF become "kinder and gentler" to ].<ref name=Economist/> As a result of his arrest, the IMF was in "turmoil", and the choice of his replacement became "more urgent and more complicated."<ref name=Economist/>


===Political=== ===Political===
Though he had not officially declared his candidacy, Strauss-Kahn had been expected to be a leading candidate for the ] under the Socialist Party.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/strauss-kahn-arrest-shakes-french-politics-2011-05-16|title=Strauss-Kahn arrest shakes French politics|author=Aude Lagorce and Polya Lesova|date=2011-05-16|publisher=MarketWatch}}</ref><ref name="France24">{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110517-strauss-kahn-affair-throws-socialists-disarray-presidential-election-2012-france|title=Strauss-Kahn affair throws Socialists into disarray|author=Thibault LIEURADE|publisher=France 24|date=2011-05-17}}</ref> Preliminary polling suggested he was favored to defeat the incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy,<ref name="WSJ-Poll">{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110224-706834.html|title=Strauss-Kahn's Lead Narrows Ahead Of '12 French Pres Election-Poll|publisher=Wall Street Journal|date=2011-02-24}}</ref> but Strauss-Kahn's arrest has left the French Socialist Party unsure of how to proceed.<ref name="France24"/><ref name="VOA-new-poll">{{cite news|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/IMF-Chief-Scandal-Throws-French-Elections-A-Curveball-122346384.html|title=IMF Chief Scandal Throws French Elections A Curveball|date=2011-05-20|publisher=Voice of America|author=Lisa Bryant}}</ref> However, ''The Economist,'' for one, notes that he was "the candidate with the greatest chance of bringing the Palaeolithic French Socialists into the modern age."<ref name=Economist2>, ''The Economist'', May 19, 2011</ref> Though he had not officially declared his candidacy, Strauss-Kahn had been expected to be a leading candidate for the 2012 French Presidency for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/strauss-kahn-arrest-shakes-french-politics-2011-05-16|title=Strauss-Kahn arrest shakes French politics |website=MarketWatch|date=16 May 2011|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110517-strauss-kahn-affair-throws-socialists-disarray-presidential-election-2012-france|title=Strauss-Kahn affair throws Socialists into disarray – FRANCE|date=May 17, 2011 |publisher=FRANCE 24|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> Preliminary polling suggested he was favored to defeat the incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-politics-poll-idUKTRE7472CX20110509|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202042634/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-france-politics-poll-idUKTRE7472CX20110509|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 2, 2016|title=France's Sarkozy may not make 2012 runoff|publisher=Uk.reuters.com|access-date=7 July 2011|date=9 May 2011}}</ref> but his arrest left the party unsure how to proceed.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lisa Bryant |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/IMF-Chief-Scandal-Throws-French-Elections-A-Curveball-122346384.html|title=IMF Chief Scandal Throws French Elections A Curveball|publisher=Voanews.com|date=20 May 2011|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> On 28 June, party leader ] announced her candidacy for the presidency, joining ] and ] amongst party contenders.<ref>{{cite news|last=Samuel|first=Henry|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8601153/Martine-Aubry-to-launch-campaign-to-be-French-Socialist-Party-presidential-candidate.html|title=Martine Aubry to launch campaign to be French Socialist Party presidential candidate|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|date=28 June 2011|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> Strauss-Kahn endorsed Aubry's candidacy. François Hollande was elected the Socialist Party presidential candidate on 16 October 2011.<ref>, france24.com; 16 October 2011.</ref>


===Popular culture===
Francesco Sisci, Director of the Institute of Italian Culture in Beijing, noted in ] that if Strauss-Kahn were to become France's president, "he could bank on his experience and lead not only France but also Europe. He could also rely on the US's trust, gained at the IMF and before, that he would not turn the European Union into an anti-American stronghold."<ref name=AsiaTimesOnline>{{cite web|last=Sisci|first=Francesco|title=China syndrome and Strauss-Kahn's fate|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/ME26Ad02.html|publisher=Asia Times|date=May 26, 2011}}</ref>
The 2011 '']'' episode "]" is based upon Strauss-Kahn's arrest. The case also inspired the 2014 French film '']'', co-written and directed by ] and starring ] and ]. Following the film's release (to mixed reviews varying from high praise to outright disgust) on 17 May 2014, Strauss-Kahn said he would sue for slander. His lawyer also complained the portrayal of his then wife ] was antisemitic.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lichfield|first=John|title=Dominique Strauss-Kahn to sue makers of Gerard Depardieu sex addiction film Welcome to New York|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/dominique-strausskahn-to-sue-makers-of-gerard--depardieu-sex-addiction-film-welcome-to-new-york-9397547.html|newspaper=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521031500/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/dominique-strausskahn-to-sue-makers-of-gerard--depardieu-sex-addiction-film-welcome-to-new-york-9397547.html|archive-date=21 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2013 short film, ''Aissa's Story'', is based on Nafissatou Diallo's account of being raped by Strauss-Kahn. ''Aissa's Story'' is directed by Iquo Essien and has won numerous short/independent film awards.<ref>{{Citation|title=AISSA'S STORY \ 15:04 min \ USA|url=https://www.kweli.tv/programs/aissas-story?autoplay=true|access-date=2017-09-14}}</ref>

In December 2020, a 4-part documentary was released on Netflix, '']'', directed by Jalil Lespert.

==See also==
{{Portal bar|New York City|France}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Wikinews category|Dominique Strauss-Kahn}}


==External links==
{{Wikinews category|Dominique Strauss-Kahn}}
* , video, with legal affairs journalist Jami Flloyd ], July 13, 2011 (7 minutes)
* {{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/22/nyregion/hotel-diagram.html?ref=nyregion&gwh=95D30C4DC916A5D11D4334C9DFD641D8 | date=May 22, 2011 | access-date=May 26, 2011 | work=The New York Times | title=Interactive diagram of Hotel | first1=Ford | last1=Fessenden | first2=Mika | last2=Gröndahl | first3=Shan | last3=Carter}}
* {{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/07/01/nyregion/20110701-Strauss-Kahn-letter.html|title=Letter From District Attorney to Defense in Strauss-Kahn Case|date=July 1, 2011|access-date=July 6, 2011|work=The New York Times}}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/238252-motion-to-dismiss-dominique-strauss-kahn-case.html | title=Motion to dismiss filed by prosecution | date=August 22, 2011 | access-date=September 19, 2011 }}
* by '']'', English Service


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Latest revision as of 01:59, 11 November 2024

American criminal case

Strauss-Kahn in 2008

The People of the State of New York v. Strauss-Kahn was a criminal case relating to allegations of sexual assault and attempted rape made by a hotel maid, Nafissatou Diallo, against Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the Sofitel New York Hotel on 14 May 2011. On 19 May 2011, Strauss-Kahn was indicted by a grand jury; after posting $1 million bail and pleading not guilty, he was placed under house arrest.

On 1 July, prosecutors told the judge that they had reassessed the strength of their case in the light of the housekeeper's diminished credibility. On 23 August 2011, the judge formally dismissed all charges following a recommendation for dismissal filed by the District Attorney's office, which asserted that the complainant's untruthfulness made it impossible to credit her. At the time of the alleged attack, Strauss-Kahn was the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and considered to be a leading candidate in the 2012 French presidential election. Four days after his arrest, he voluntarily resigned his post at the IMF.

Chronology

Arrest and indictment

On 14 May 2011, Strauss-Kahn was arrested and charged with the sexual assault and attempted rape of 32-year-old Nafissatou Diallo, a housekeeper at the Sofitel New York Hotel in the Manhattan borough earlier that day. After calling the hotel and asking them to bring his missing cell phone to the airport, he was met by police and taken from his Paris-bound flight at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport minutes before takeoff. He was later charged on several counts of sexual assault plus unlawful imprisonment. Strauss-Kahn was accused of four felony charges—two of criminal sexual acts (forcing the housekeeper to perform oral sex on him), one of attempted rape and one of sexual abuse—plus three misdemeanor offences, including unlawful imprisonment.

The U.S. State Department determined that Strauss Kahn's diplomatic immunity did not apply to the case.

Strauss-Kahn hired New York lawyer Benjamin Brafman to represent him. He was reported as having sought public relations advice from a Washington-based consulting firm. His defense team hired a private detective agency to investigate the housekeeper's past.

Nafissatou Diallo was represented by Kenneth Thompson and Douglas Wigdor of Thompson Wigdor LLP, a two-partner law firm whose areas of expertise include employment law and civil rights cases. Thompson hired a Paris lawyer to look for women in France who may have been victimized by Strauss-Kahn.

Strauss-Kahn appeared in court on May 16 before New York City Criminal Court judge Melissa Jackson. During the proceedings the prosecution stated that the housekeeper, Diallo, an immigrant asylee from the West African state of Guinea, had provided a detailed account of the alleged assault, had picked Strauss-Kahn out of a lineup, and that DNA evidence recovered at the site was being tested. Strauss-Kahn, who had earlier agreed to a forensic examination, pleaded not guilty. Judge Jackson denied his bail request stating that the fact that Strauss-Kahn was apprehended on a departing airplane "rais some concerns".

On 19 May, Strauss-Kahn was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on seven criminal counts, two of which were first-degree criminal sexual acts, each punishable by a sentence of up to 25 years in prison. On that date New York Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Obus granted Strauss-Kahn's bail request, which was set at $1 million with the additional restrictions of 24-hour home detention and an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.

After Strauss-Kahn turned over his passport and posted an additional $5 million bail bond, he was placed under house arrest in a residence in Lower Manhattan.

On 24 May, it was reported that DNA tests of the semen found on Diallo's shirt had shown a match with the DNA sample from Strauss-Kahn.

He was arraigned on June 6 and pleaded not guilty. Outside the court, lawyers for the parties made statements. Benjamin Brafman, for Strauss-Kahn, said: "In our judgment, once the evidence has been reviewed, it will be clear that there was no element of forcible compulsion in this case whatsoever. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply not credible." Kenneth Thompson, Diallo's lawyer, said all of Strauss-Kahn's power, money and influence would not stop the truth from coming out.

Prosecution disclosures

On 30 June 2011, the district attorney sent a letter to Strauss-Kahn's defense team disclosing information about the housekeeper.

Prosecutors met with Strauss-Kahn's defense team the same day. That evening The New York Times reported the case as being on the verge of collapse and quoted law-enforcement officials as saying investigators had uncovered major holes in the housekeeper's credibility. Following Strauss-Kahn's release on bail the following day, the same paper reported that Diallo had admitted she lied about the events immediately following her encounter with Strauss-Kahn. She had initially said that after the alleged assault she waited in a hallway until Strauss-Kahn had left. She later said she cleaned an adjacent room, and then returned to Strauss-Kahn's room to clean there before reporting to her supervisor that she had been attacked. Among the discoveries were statements by Diallo to investigators differing from what she had put in her asylum application, her claiming to have only one phone while paying hundreds of dollars a month to five phone companies, and individuals, including known felons, depositing almost $100,000 into her bank account over the previous two years.

Also, Diallo told a compelling and detailed story of being gang raped by soldiers in Guinea, which was completely fabricated. Over a two-week period she told the story to prosecutors twice. Both times with great emotion, precision, and conviction, including: tears; halting speech; the number and nature of her attackers; pointing out scars that were supposedly from the attack; and how her 2-year old daughter was present. When she finally admitted that the story was fabricated, she at first said that she made up the attack to be consistent with her asylum application. But that too turned out to be untrue—as her asylum application makes no mention of any gang rape.

In addition, the prosecution learned that, the day following the alleged assault, the housekeeper had made a phone call in her native Fula language to her boyfriend in an immigration detention center. The New York Times quoted a law enforcement official as saying that a translation of the call revealed she had used words to the effect of "Don't worry, this guy has a lot of money. I know what I'm doing." Prosecutors said that the conversation, one of at least three they recorded, raised "very troubling" questions about the credibility of the accuser "because she discussed the possible benefits of pursuing charges against a wealthy man." According to The New York Times, the translation of the call "alarmed prosecutors" as being another in a "series of troubling statements." After obtaining the recorded audio from the call, the accuser's attorney countered that it was the inmate who expressed fear about the financial power of DSK and Nafissatou merely dismissed his fears by saying that her lawyer knew what he was doing.

Thompson, the accuser's attorney, challenged the prosecutors' handling and interpretation of the phone call and asked them to withdraw and appoint a special prosecutor. The prosecutors declined to recuse their office, saying Thompson's request was without merit.

Subsequent events

The morning after the prosecution's disclosures, in a brief court hearing in which prosecutors said they had reassessed the strength of their case, Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest on his own recognizance without bail. His passport remained surrendered although he was free to travel within the US. After the hearing, Kenneth Thompson, the housekeeper's attorney, defended his client: "It's a fact that the victim here has made some mistakes, but that doesn't mean she's not a rape victim."

The next scheduled hearing was postponed twice, from 18 July–1 August 2011, and then again to August 23, with the prosecutors saying that they needed more time for further investigation and defense saying they hoped it would lead to a dismissal of charges.

Civil lawsuits

On 8 August 2011, Diallo filed a civil action against Strauss-Kahn in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Bronx. On 15 May 2012, a few days after the French election for president, Strauss-Kahn filed a countersuit against Diallo for making "baseless accusations that had cost him his job as managing director of the International Monetary Fund and 'other professional opportunities'." Until his arrest, Strauss-Kahn was considered to be a likely candidate to run against the incumbent president, Nicolas Sarkozy.

Diallo's lawsuit was settled, together with Strauss-Kahn's countersuit, for an undisclosed amount on 10 December 2012. A separate suit against the New York Post, who had reported she was a prostitute, was settled at the same time. Diallo's attorney, Kenneth Thompson, described Diallo as a strong and courageous woman who had never lost faith in the American system of justice. Previous news reports emanating from Le Monde that Strauss-Kahn was settling for $6 million were denied by both parties.

Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD) later reported the settlement as for $1.5 million, of which Diallo received a little less than $1 million after fees. JDD noted that negotiations between the parties had commenced after an application for diplomatic immunity by Strauss-Kahn had been rejected by the judge. Settling the suit meant that Strauss-Kahn avoided a long and humiliating examination in court.

Dismissal of case

On 22 August 2011, prosecutors filed a recommendation for dismissal of all charges against Strauss-Kahn. They told the court that inconsistencies in the accuser's testimony led to the decision to recommend all charges be dropped. Their decision to drop the case was based on a number of facts outlined in a 25-page document:

  • The physical evidence indicated a sexual encounter but did not prove use of force or non-consent;
  • The prosecution noted multiple instances of the accuser's untruthfulness, including fabricating the story that she was gang raped in her native Guinea to gain asylum in the U.S. (although her asylum application did not include it);
  • Changing her version of the events before, during, and after the alleged assault.

Consequently, prosecutors stated they could no longer believe Diallo beyond a reasonable doubt, and could not expect any jury to do so either. Diallo's attorney, Kenneth Thompson, publicly attacked DA Vance, claiming that Vance's office had been abusive to their client, had leaked false information, and sought to undermine Diallo's credibility; he requested a stay in the case which was later denied.

On 23 August 2011, all charges against Strauss-Kahn were dismissed as requested by the prosecution. He returned to Paris on 3 September 2011. On 9 September 2011, the accuser's attorney filed a civil suit against Strauss-Kahn in New York City, followed weeks later by a motion for dismissal by Strauss-Kahn.

On 18 September 2011, Strauss-Kahn was interviewed on French TV. He conceded that his encounter with Diallo in New York had been an error and a moral failure, but denied it was a criminal act. He accused Diallo of lying about the encounter.

Conspiracy hypothesis

In an interview with Libération on 28 April 2011, Strauss-Kahn stated he was "worried his political opponent, Nicolas Sarkozy, would try to frame him with a fake rape". Paris politician and advocate of gender equality Michèle Sabban said she was convinced there was an international plot to frame him. A few days after his arrest, a poll showed that 57% of the French public believed he was the "victim of a smear campaign".

On 15 May, Strauss-Kahn's political opponent Henri de Raincourt, a minister for overseas co-operation in the ruling UMP party, stated, "one cannot exclude thinking about a setup." Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin expressed his personal doubts about the allegations.

On 27 November 2011, investigative journalist Edward Jay Epstein presented a minute-by-minute documentation of events, published in The New York Review of Books, which involved the alleged assault, making a number of new allegations. An analysis of hotel door key and phone records tracing links to Strauss-Kahn's potential political rivals appeared to suggest the possibility that he had been set up. However the hotel where the alleged assault took place firmly rebuffed Epstein's suggestions of a conspiracy theory, denying a number of assertions in the report. The New York Review of Books subsequently corrected one of its allegations, reporting that a "dance of celebration" between two Sofitel employees lasted 13 seconds, not the 3 minutes originally reported, an issue that had been raised by Amy Davidson in her The New Yorker examination of Epstein's piece. Epstein later wrote that Strauss-Kahn now accepts that his enemies might not have set up his encounter with Diallo, but believes they did play a role, through intercepted phone calls, in making sure that the hotel maid went to the police, turning a private tryst into a public scandal.

Support and opposition

Strauss-Kahn's wife, Anne Sinclair, was in Paris when he was arrested. A week after the arrest, on 21 May 2011, she said: "I don't believe for a single second the accusations of sexual assault by my husband." Friends of the couple said their 20-year-old marriage remained strong despite the new strains and that the allegations were unlikely to separate them.

While he was considered a womanizer and described by Le Journal du Dimanche as un grand séducteur ("a great seducer"), a number of close friends said the allegations were out of character.

His previous wife, Brigitte Guillemette, insisted that violence was not part of his temperament and that the allegations were "unthinkable and impossible". The Spanish writer Carmen Llera, a former lover, defended him in an open letter, declaring "violence is not part of his culture." This conclusion is supported by Strauss-Kahn's biographer who claims that he was a "typical French lover, but he's not able to rape a woman."

Journalist and essayist Jean-François Kahn apologized for initially characterizing the allegations as a troussage de domestique (literally, stripping or having casual, forced sex with a servant) and said he would retire from journalism. Marine Le Pen, leader of the Front National, said "I am utterly unsurprised...everyone in the Paris political village knew of Dominique Strauss-Kahn's pathologic relations with women", and criticised both the ruling UMP and Socialist parties for ignoring his flaws. Bernard Debré, a UMP member of the National Assembly of France, described Strauss-Kahn's behaviour as a humiliation for France.

Reactions

French politicians were quick to respond, as were their counterparts in the rest of Europe. The case prompted response from feminists in both the US and France, who criticised French coverage of the allegations and apparent dismissal of the woman's claims. The reaction led to a rally at the Pompidou Centre on 22 May 2011. French sociologist Irène Théry published two articles in Le Monde commenting on the affair and defending French feminism against American attacks.

In response to the allegations Unite Here, the biggest union in the hospitality industry, said that hotels should provide sexual harassment training for workers. When Strauss-Kahn appeared in court on June 6, a group of room attendants, members of the New York Hotel Trades Council (NYHTC), arrived on a bus arranged by the union and demonstrated in front of the courtroom.

Media coverage after arrest

Media circus in front of Strauss-Kahn's apartment

CBS News noted that a media circus had begun because the case involved three elements of viewer interest: sex, politics, and money. The media impact of the case after the arrest was measured by the French media analysis firm Kantar Media. They found that during the first ten days of the scandal, 'DSK' appeared on the front page of more than 150,000 newspapers around the world.

On 17 May 2011, Paris Match published the name of the housekeeper in a piece which included appraisals of her attractiveness. Other French newspapers quickly followed suit in naming her, eventually adding photos and details of her private life.

On 14 June, The New York Times followed the lead begun by other anglophone media in running an "unusually extensive" story on the housekeeper's background, while continuing to withhold her name. In the United States, the media does not normally identify by name persons making an accusation of rape.

A white-haired man in a black overcoat and dress shirt with his hands behind his back at the center of a small group of men walking toward the camera. The two men on either side are wearing jackets with gold badges clipped to the lapels and ties. They are holding the arms of the man in the center. A fourth man, also in a jacket and tie, is visible in the rear.
Images of Strauss-Kahn's perp walk were condemned in France, where it is illegal to publish such photos before the subject is convicted.

Former French justice minister Élisabeth Guigou, architect of a 2000 law on the presumption of innocence, said she found the televised images of Strauss-Kahn prior to the preliminary bail proceedings absolutely disgusting and described the coverage as a pre-trial indictment. Jack Lang, a former Minister of Culture and Minister of Education, described the published images of Strauss-Kahn as a lynching and wondered why Strauss-Kahn had not been granted bail at his first application since, according to Lang, the case was not that serious. He later apologised.

Hugh Schofield of the BBC reported that Strauss-Kahn's arrest and incarceration had provoked a national trauma in France far deeper than anyone could have imagined: images of Strauss-Kahn's post-arrest perp walk had "reawakened an anti-Americanism that is latent in many French souls. ... such humiliating pictures would never be taken in France – indeed the French law on the presumption of innocence bans 'degrading photographs of prisoners awaiting trial.'" Bernard-Henri Lévy, the French philosopher and media intellectual, declared that Strauss-Kahn had already been found guilty in the court of public opinion.

Following his release from house arrest on 1 July, The New York Times, among other media, speculated as to whether he could revive his political career. In France, Michèle Sabban asked that the ongoing French Socialist Party presidential primary be suspended to discuss the possibility of Strauss-Kahn's participation.

Reactions to the dropping of all charges

In March 2012, students at Cambridge University in the UK protested against Strauss-Kahn being allowed to speak on campus. Because of the original charges and the maid's allegations, a campus women's group opposed his visit, with 750 students signing a petition to withdraw his invitation.

In defending their decision to invite him, the president of the Cambridge Union Society explained that "we can't engage in any kind of judgement on people," while a university spokesperson added that the university "respects academic freedom and freedom of speech." A student protester who was interviewed defended the protests, saying "... we wanted to exercise our own freedom of speech as individuals and let the union know what we think."

Resignation and impact

Economic

Strauss-Kahn resigned from his position as head of the IMF on 18 May 2011. In his letter of resignation he denied "with the greatest possible firmness all of the allegations". He said he wanted to protect the IMF and devote all his energies to proving his innocence. On June 14, the IMF announced two candidates had been shortlisted for the post of managing director of the IMF. These were Agustín Carstens, governor of the Mexican central bank, and Christine Lagarde, French finance minister. On 28 June, the IMF announced they had selected Lagarde.

His sudden resignation led the IMF to search for a replacement and created new political worries. According to The Washington Post, "Without Strauss-Kahn at the helm, Europe is at risk of losing a key source of financial support in its efforts to contain the debt crisis buffeting the continent", including potential financial bailouts for nations such as Greece and Portugal. U.S. economist Joseph Stiglitz agreed, stressing that because Strauss-Kahn was "an impressive leader of the IMF and re-established the credibility of the institution," the choice of his replacement was important, otherwise "the gains of the institution could easily be lost."

According to The Economist magazine, before Strauss-Kahn became head of the IMF, the fund's relevance to global finance was in question. However, his early endorsement of fiscal stimulus for the Eurozone during its financial crisis had been accepted and acted upon, with new contributions to the fund being tripled in size. "The Greeks trusted him", it notes, and he was "one of the few non-German policymakers to have had influence over Angela Merkel ... Whatever his personal failings, was an outstanding head of the IMF." In addition, he had championed the need to protect poor countries from the effects of fiscal austerity, helping the IMF become "kinder and gentler" to less developed countries. As a result of his arrest, the IMF was in "turmoil", and the choice of his replacement became "more urgent and more complicated."

Political

Though he had not officially declared his candidacy, Strauss-Kahn had been expected to be a leading candidate for the 2012 French Presidency for the Socialist Party. Preliminary polling suggested he was favored to defeat the incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy, but his arrest left the party unsure how to proceed. On 28 June, party leader Martine Aubry announced her candidacy for the presidency, joining François Hollande and Ségolène Royal amongst party contenders. Strauss-Kahn endorsed Aubry's candidacy. François Hollande was elected the Socialist Party presidential candidate on 16 October 2011.

Popular culture

The 2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Scorched Earth" is based upon Strauss-Kahn's arrest. The case also inspired the 2014 French film Welcome to New York, co-written and directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Gérard Depardieu and Jacqueline Bisset. Following the film's release (to mixed reviews varying from high praise to outright disgust) on 17 May 2014, Strauss-Kahn said he would sue for slander. His lawyer also complained the portrayal of his then wife Anne Sinclair was antisemitic.

The 2013 short film, Aissa's Story, is based on Nafissatou Diallo's account of being raped by Strauss-Kahn. Aissa's Story is directed by Iquo Essien and has won numerous short/independent film awards.

In December 2020, a 4-part documentary was released on Netflix, Room 2806: The Accusation, directed by Jalil Lespert.

See also

Portals:

References

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