Reports: Sexual Assault Case Against Strauss-Kahn on Shaky Ground

Posted July 1st, 2011 at 2:25 am (UTC-5)
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Former International Monetary Fund director Dominique Strauss-Kahn will appear before a New York judge Friday as the sexual assault case against him is reportedly in serious trouble due to credibility issues with his accuser.

The veteran French politician was arrested and charged in May for attacking a 23-year-old maid who came to clean his suite at a luxury New York City hotel.

The New York Times says the accuser, an immigrant from Guinea, has repeatedly lied to prosecutors since making her initial allegations. The Times says serious discrepancies have been uncovered about the woman's background, with issues involving her application for asylum, along with possible links to criminal activities such as drug dealing and money laundering.

Strauss-Khan has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyers will ask the judge during Friday's hearing to reduce his $6 million bail and modify the conditions of his release. He is under 24-hour home confinement and surveillance, including electronic monitoring, and is providing a security team at the rented house where he is staying.

The conditions are costing him $250,000 a month.

Strauss-Kahn resigned as managing director of the IMF days after his arrest. His compatriot, former Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, was recently chosen by the IMF board to succeed him.

Before his arrest, Strauss-Kahn was considered a leading contender to run as the Socialist party candidate against French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the 2012 presidential election.