Former IMF leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn manages a short smile as he appears at his arraignment in a court room at Manhattan Criminal Court on June 6, 2011 in New York City. Strauss-Kahn entered a not-guilty plea on charges stemming from last month's incident where he allegedly sexually assaulted a hotel employee. UPI/Allan Tannenbaum/Pool |
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NEW YORK, July 1 (UPI) -- Dominique Strauss-Kahn was released on his own recognizance Friday after New York prosecutors said they had problems with the sexual assault case against him.
Prosecutors said they had credibility issues with the hotel housekeeper who accused Strauss-Kahn, the former International Monetary Fund managing director, of trying to rape her in May, but the woman's attorney said she was being thrown under the bus by a prosecutor afraid of losing a high-profile case.
When Strauss-Kahn was first arrested, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said the state had a strong case. However, prosecutors Friday said the case was not as strong as initially suggested.
Investigators said the victim lied since her initial allegation May 14, a law enforcement official said. Also, two officials said they had a recorded phone conversation between the woman and an incarcerated man in which she discussed the possible benefits of pursuing the charges against the former International Monetary Fund executive. In addition, one official said she told investigators her application for asylum included mention of a previous rape, but there was no such account in the application.
Kenneth Thompson, the woman's attorney, said Friday leaks about his client coming from the prosecutor's office are lies.
"We believe that the district attorney is laying a foundation to dismiss this case," he said after the hearing Friday.
He said he was concerned Vance was "afraid to try this case" because he was afraid of losing such a high-profile case.
"The district attorney has an obligation to stand up for this rape victim," Thompson said.
Yes, she made mistakes, but "that doesn't mean she wasn't a rape victim," the attorney said.
After Friday's hearing, Vance said he doesn't believe his office has acted improperly as it continued the investigation that eventually "raised concerns about the complaint's credibility."
Prosecutors did not seek dismissal of the indictments or charges against Strauss-Kahn and have not treated his accuser shabbily, despite claims to the contrary, he said.
"We believe we have done nothing but support" the victim, Vance said.
Benjamin Brathman, Strauss-Kahn's attorney, said Friday's hearing justified the defense's plea that the public "not ... rush to judgment."
He said the hearing was the first step leading "to the dismissal of the charges" against Strauss-Kahn.
Strauss-Kahn, 62, considered a contender in France's presidential elections, was accused of sexually assaulting a housekeeper at the Sofitel New York. After his arrest, Strauss-Kahn resigned his position at the IMF.
After Friday's hearing, Strauss-Kahn can move about more freely. Even though prosecutors will keep his passport, most of his restrictive bail conditions were lifted.
He was arrested May 14 and charged with sexual assault and attempted rape after the woman told authorities she was in Strauss-Kahn's Sofitel hotel suite to clean it when he emerged naked from the bathroom and attacked her.
He was indicted by a grand jury May 19 and could face more than 25 years in prison if convicted. He was arraigned June 6 and pleaded not guilty.
The case will return to court July 18.
