Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is countersuing the New York hotel maid who accused him of sexually assaulting her.

His $1 million lawsuit says the maid, Guinea native Nafissatou Diallo, cost him not only his IMF job, but political opportunities including the French presidency.

The suit also says the maid's accusations caused Strauss-Kahn extraordinary pain and anguish.

Diallo's lawyers call the lawsuit a publicity stunt.

Diallo accused Strauss-Kahn of sexually assaulting her last year in the luxury hotel where she worked. The charges were dropped when prosecutors questioned Diallo's credibility — but not before Strauss-Kahn was forced to step down as IMF chief.

The incident also destroyed Strauss-Kahn's political career in France, where the Socialists had touted him as a likely presidential candidate in the election.

Strauss-Kahn still faces a civil suit in New York.