New York v. Strauss-Kahn explained
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[1] and pleading not guilty he was placed under house arrest.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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 and 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.[5] [6]
The U.S. State Department determined that Strauss Kahn's diplomatic immunity did not apply to the case.[7]
Strauss-Kahn hired New York lawyer Benjamin Brafman to represent him.[8] He was reported as having sought public relations advice from a Washington-based consulting firm.[9] His defense team hired a private detective agency to investigate the housekeeper's past.[10]
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.[11] [12] Thompson hired a Paris lawyer to look for women in France who may have been victimized by Strauss-Kahn.[13]
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,[14] 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.[15] Strauss-Kahn, who had earlier agreed to a forensic examination, pleaded not guilty.[16] [17] Judge Jackson denied his bail request stating that the fact that Strauss-Kahn was apprehended on a departing airplane "rais[ed] some concerns".[18]
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.[19] On that date New York Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Obus granted Strauss-Kahn's bail request,[20] [21] which was set at with the additional restrictions of 24-hour home detention and an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.[22] [23]
After Strauss-Kahn turned over his passport and posted an additional bail bond,[2] he was placed under house arrest in a residence[24] in Lower Manhattan.[25]
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.[14]
He was arraigned on June 6 and pleaded not guilty.[26] 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.[27] [28]
Prosecution disclosures
On 30 June 2011, the district attorney sent a letter to Strauss-Kahn's defense team disclosing information about the housekeeper.[29]
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.[30]
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.[31] [32] [33]
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.[34] 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."[35] 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.[36]
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.[37] The prosecutors declined to recuse their office, saying Thompson's request was without merit.[38] [39]
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.[40] [41] His passport remained surrendered although he was free to travel within the US.[42] [43] 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."[35]
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.[44] [45]
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.[46] [47] 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'."[48] Until his arrest, Strauss-Kahn was considered to be a likely candidate to run against the incumbent president, Nicolas Sarkozy.[49]
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.[50] Previous news reports emanating from Le Monde that Strauss-Kahn was settling for $6 million were denied by both parties.[51]
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.[52] [53]
Dismissal of case
On 22 August 2011, prosecutors filed a recommendation for dismissal of all charges against Strauss-Kahn.[54] [55] [56] They told the court that inconsistencies in the accuser's testimony led to the decision to recommend all charges be dropped.[57] 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;[58]
- 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.[58] [59] [60] 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.[61] [62]
On 23 August 2011, all charges against Strauss-Kahn were dismissed as requested by the prosecution.[63] He returned to Paris on 3 September 2011.[64] On 9 September 2011, the accuser's attorney filed a civil suit against Strauss-Kahn in New York City,[65] [66] followed weeks later by a motion for dismissal by Strauss-Kahn.[67]
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.[68]
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".[69] [70] Paris politician and advocate of gender equality Michèle Sabban said she was convinced there was an international plot to frame him.[71] [72] A few days after his arrest, a poll showed that 57% of the French public believed he was the "victim of a smear campaign".[73] [74]
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."[75] [76] Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin expressed his personal doubts about the allegations.[77]
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.[78] [79] 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.[80] 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.[81] [82] 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.[83] [84]
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."[85] 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.[86]
While he was considered a womanizer and described by Le Journal du Dimanche as un grand séducteur ("a great seducer"),[87] a number of close friends said the allegations were out of character.[88] [89]
His previous wife, Brigitte Guillemette, insisted that violence was not part of his temperament and that the allegations were "unthinkable and impossible".[90] [91] The Spanish writer Carmen Llera, a former lover, defended him in an open letter, declaring "violence is not part of his culture."[92] 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."[93]
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.[94] [95] 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",[96] and criticised both the ruling UMP and Socialist parties for ignoring his flaws.[97] Bernard Debré, a UMP member of the National Assembly of France, described Strauss-Kahn's behaviour as a humiliation for France.[98]
Reactions
French politicians were quick to respond, as were their counterparts in the rest of Europe.[99] [100] 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.[101] [102] [103] [104]
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.[105] [106]
Media coverage after arrest
CBS News noted that a media circus had begun because the case involved three elements of viewer interest: sex, politics, and money.[107] 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.[108] [109]
On 17 May 2011, Paris Match published the name of the housekeeper in a piece which included appraisals of her attractiveness.[110] Other French newspapers quickly followed suit in naming her, eventually adding photos and details of her private life.[111]
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.[112] In the United States, the media does not normally identify by name persons making an accusation of rape.[113] 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.[114] 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.[75] [115]
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.'"[116] [117] Bernard-Henri Lévy, the French philosopher and media intellectual, declared that Strauss-Kahn had already been found guilty in the court of public opinion.[118]
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.[119] [120] In France, Michèle Sabban asked that the ongoing French Socialist Party presidential primary be suspended to discuss the possibility of Strauss-Kahn's participation.[121] [122]
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."[123]
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.[124] 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.[125] On 28 June, the IMF announced they had selected Lagarde.[126]
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.[127] 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."[128]
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, [he] was an outstanding head of the IMF."[129] 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.[75] As a result of his arrest, the IMF was in "turmoil", and the choice of his replacement became "more urgent and more complicated."[75]
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.[130] [131] Preliminary polling suggested he was favored to defeat the incumbent, Nicolas Sarkozy,[132] but his arrest left the party unsure how to proceed.[133] On 28 June, party leader Martine Aubry announced her candidacy for the presidency, joining François Hollande and Ségolène Royal amongst party contenders.[134] Strauss-Kahn endorsed Aubry's candidacy. François Hollande was elected the Socialist Party presidential candidate on 16 October 2011.[135]
Popular culture
The 2011 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.[136]
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, , directed by Jalil Lespert.
External links
- PBS interview, video, with legal affairs journalist Jami Flloyd PBS, July 13, 2011 (7 minutes)
- News: Interactive diagram of Hotel . May 22, 2011 . May 26, 2011 . The New York Times . Ford . Fessenden . Mika . Gröndahl . Shan . Carter.
- News: Letter From District Attorney to Defense in Strauss-Kahn Case. July 1, 2011. July 6, 2011. The New York Times.
- Web site: Motion to dismiss filed by prosecution . August 22, 2011 . September 19, 2011 .
- The Strauss-Kahn Affair Dossier by Radio France Internationale, English Service
Notes and References
- Web site: Release order. 20 May 2011. Courts.state.ny.us. 20 December 2011.
- http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/0519/Strauss-Kahn-indicted-by-grand-jury-is-granted-1-million-cash-bail "Strauss-Kahn indicted by grand jury, is granted $1 million cash bond"
- News: Strauss-Kahn Is Released as Case Teeters. 1 July 2011. John Eligon. The New York Times.
- http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/all-charges-dropped-in-strauss-kahn-case.html "All charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn dismissed"
- News: Grand Jury Indictment. ABC News. 16 May 2011. 1 July 2011.
- News: Strauss-Kahn indicted on sex charges. UPI. 19 May 2011. 5 June 2011.
- News: IMF chief will note [sic] get diplomatic immunity, State Dept. says]. The Washington Post. 17 May 2011. Sheridan. Mary Beth. 25 May 2011.
- https://vancouversun.com/news/chief+charged+with+York+assault+France+stunned/4788560/story.html "IMF chief charged with New York sex assault, all of France stunned"
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/20/dominique-strauss-kahn-advice-firm-cia_n_865030.html "Dominique Strauss-Kahn Defense Team Seeks Advice From Firm Run By Former CIA Officers"
- Web site: Buxeda. Yann. Strauss-Kahn lawyer hires private investigators. 27 May 2011. 12 June 2011 . France 24.
- Web site: Thompson Wigdor LLP. 10 June 2011.
- Web site: Jones. Leigh. Maid in Strauss-Kahn case pares down legal team. Thomson Reuters. 8 June 2011.
- News: Smith. Heather. Strauss-Kahn accuser looks for possible 'victims'. 26 June 2011. San Francisco Chronicle. Bloomberg News.
- News: Dominique Strauss-Kahn DNA 'linked to maid'. BBC. 21 June 2011.
- News: Judge Jails IMF Chief In Sexual-Assault Case. The Wall Street Journal. 17 May 2011. Sean. Gardiner.
- News: City of New York Against Dominique Strauss-Kahn. 19 May 2011. The New York Times. 16 May 2011.
- News: IMF Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting housekeeper. Mann. Camille. 16 May 2011. 24 May 2011. CBS.
- News: I.M.F. Chief Is Held Without Bail. The New York Times. John. Eligon. 16 May 2011.
- News: Strauss-Kahn to Be Freed on $1 Million Bail. the Atlantic wire. Adam. Martin. 19 May 2011. 4 June 2011.
- News: Eligon. John. Strauss-Kahn Is Indicted and Will Soon Leave Jail. 12 August 2013. The New York Times. 19 May 2011.
- News: Grand Jury Indicts Former I.M.F. Chief. The New York Times. John. Eligon. 19 May 2011.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20110520235143/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/dominique-strauss-kahn/8524881/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-former-IMF-head-bailed.html "Dominique Strauss-Kahn: former IMF head bailed"
- News: Legal analyst: Strauss-Kahn case will "go away". CBS News. 7 July 2011.
- News: Dominic Rushe in New York. Former IMF chief released from jail. The Guardian. UK. 1 July 2011. 21 May 2011.
- News: The New York Times. Strauss-Kahn Finds a New Home. John. Eligon. 25 May 2011.
- News: Ex-IMF chief Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty at arraignment. CNN. 6 June 2011.
- News: Rushe. Dominic. Dominique Strauss-Kahn denies attempted rape and sexual assault. 7 June 2011. The Guardian. 6 June 2011. London. https://web.archive.org/web/20130930113628/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/07/dominique-strauss-kahn-denies-attempted-rape. 30 September 2013. live. 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.".
- http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/strauss-kahn-appears-in-court/ "Strauss-Kahn Pleads Not Guilty"
- Web site: Letter from the New York District Attorney to the defense in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case.. DocumentCloud. 11 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150610211253/http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/213940-das-office-to-w-taylor-b-and-brafman.html. 10 June 2015. live.
- News: Strauss-Kahn Is Released as Case Teeters. The New York Times. John. Eligon. 1 July 2011.
- News: Dwyer. Jim. With False Tale About Gang Rape, Strauss-Kahn Case Crumbles. 1 September 2011. The New York Times. 23 August 2011.
- News: Rawlings. Nate. Weaker but Not Lost: The Case Against Strauss-Kahn. https://web.archive.org/web/20110704015710/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2081204,00.html. dead. July 4, 2011. 1 September 2011. Time Magazine. 1 July 2011.
- News: Letter From District Attorney to Defense in Strauss-Kahn Case. 1 September 2011. The New York Times. 30 June 2011. Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, Assistant District Attorney. John (Artie) McConnell, Assistant District Attorney.
- News: Maid's 'Fiancé' Speaks. 13 July 2011. The Daily Beast. 13 July 2011. Christine Pelisek. Terry Greene Sterling. Christopher Dickey. https://web.archive.org/web/20130314072134/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/07/13/dominique-strauss-kahn-accuser-s-detained-fianc-speaks.html. 14 March 2013. live.
- News: Strauss-Kahn Accuser's Call Alarmed Prosecutors. 4 July 2011. The New York Times. 1 July 2011. Jim Dwyer. Michael Wilson. amp.
- News: Dominique Strauss-Kahn accuser not a 'scheming opportunist', lawyer insists. 29 July 2011. The Guardian. Peter Walker and agencies. London, UK.
- News: Strauss-Kahn Won't Plead Guilty to Any Charges, His Lawyers Say. 7 July 2011. The New York Times. 6 July 2011. William K. Rashbaum. John Eligon. amp.
- News: Vance unmoved by call for his recusal from Strauss-Kahn case. July 7, 2011. CNN. 7 July 2011. .
- News: Winter. Jana. Lawyer for Maid in IMF Sexual Assault Case Calls for Special Prosecutor. 6 July 2011. Fox News. 7 July 2011. AP.
- News: Strauss-Kahn Prosecution Said to Be Near Collapse. 1 July 2011. The New York Times. 30 June 2011. Jim Dwyer, William K. Rashbaum and John Eligon.
- News: Dominique Strauss-Kahn freed from house arrest. 1 July 2011. New York. CBS News.
- News: Strauss-Kahn Released From House Arrest as Case Enters Legal Limbo. 9 July 2011. PBS. 1 July 2011.
- News: Strauss-Kahn free to travel in U.S..
- News: Samuel. Henry. Dominique Strauss-Kahn sent a text message to Tristane Banon asking: 'Do I scare you?'. 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. dead. 12 July 2011. 13 July 2011. The Daily Telegraph. 12 July 2011. London, UK.
- News: Strauss-Kahn rape case hearing delayed again. 26 July 2011. Reuters.
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/09/dominique-strauss-kahn-accuser-lawsuit?INTCMP=SRCH Diallo files civil suit against DSK
- https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/080811diallocomplaint.pdf Wall Street Journal Public Resources – Diallo Complaint
- https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/nyregion/strauss-kahn-countersues-housekeeper-who-accused-him-of-rape.html "Strauss-Kahn Sues Housekeeper, Saying She Hurt His Career"
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-strausskahn-idUSBRE84E1H420120515 "Strauss-Kahn countersues NY hotel maid for $1 million"
- News: Chambermaid Nafissatou Diallo and Dominique Strauss-Kahn settle civil lawsuits stemming from alleged hotel rape. 9 August 2013. Daily News (New York). 10 December 2012. Vera Chinese. Daniel Beekman. https://web.archive.org/web/20130517152723/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/dsk-hotel-maid-settle-civil-lawsuits-rape-charges-article-1.1217140. 17 May 2013. live. 'I thank everyone who supported me all over the world,' Diallo says leaving courthouse.
- News: Strauss-Kahn Talks With the Maid. $6 Million? That's Another Story. https://web.archive.org/web/20121203200205/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-30/strauss-kahn-lawyers-deny-reports-he-settled-suit-with-maid. dead. December 3, 2012. 9 August 2013. Bloomberg Businessweek. 30 November 2012. Chris Dolmetsch. Heather Smith.
- News: Un million de dollars pour Nafissatou Diallo. 9 August 2013. Le Journal du Dimanche. 19 January 2013. 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. 29 July 2013. live. fr. "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.
- News: Buetnner. Russ. Judge in Civil Case Rejects Immunity for Strauss-Kahn. 9 August 2013. The New York Times. 1 May 2012. 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..
- Web site: The People of the State of New York against Dominique Strauss-Kahn (Indictment No. 02526/2011): Recommendation for Dismissal. DocumentCloud. 10 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130527161224/http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/238252-motion-to-dismiss-dominique-strauss-kahn-case.html. 27 May 2013. live. 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..
- https://web.archive.org/web/20111101053551/http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/strauss-kahn-accuser-and-lawyer-meet-with-prosecutors/ Prosecutor Asks Court to Drop Charges Against Strauss-Kahn
- News: District Attorney Asks Judge to Drop Strauss-Kahn Case. William K. Rashbaum. John Eligon. The New York Times. August 23, 2011.
- News: Judge dismisses assault charges against Strauss-Kahn. 23 August 2011. USA Today. Douglas. Stanglin.
- News: Judge Orders Dismissal of Charges Against Strauss-Kahn. The New York Times. 23 August 2011. John. Eligon.
- News: Dwyer. Jim. With False Tale About Gang Rape, Strauss-Kahn Case Crumbles. 24 August 2011. The New York Times. 23 August 2011.
- News: Strauss-Kahn New York sexual assault case dismissed. BBC News. 23 August 2011.
- News: Strauss-Kahn accuser wants special prosecutor. https://web.archive.org/web/20110823125846/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44230772/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/#.TlKk37-9zQ4. live. 2011-08-23.
- News: Prosecutors Prepare to Drop DSK Charges.
- http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61916.html DSK: 'Nightmare' is finally over
- News: Dominique Strauss-Kahn leaves New York for France with family in tow. Trapaso. Clare. Katie Nelson. 3 September 2011. New York Daily News.
- News: Civil suit against Strauss-Kahn moving forward. Thomson Reuters News & Insight. Noeleen. Walder. 23 August 2011.
- Web site: New York State Supreme Court (Bronx Co. Civil file no. (307065-2011).
- News: Dominique Strauss-Kahn claims he's too important to be sued in civil court case filing. 28 September 2011. New York Daily News. Helen. Kennedy.
- News: Strauss-Kahn Concedes 'Error' in Sexual Encounter With Maid. 10 August 2013. The New York Times. 18 September 2011. Steven Erlanger. Maïa de la Baume. 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&. 26 May 2024. live. 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..
- News: Guiral. Antoine. Oui, j'aime les femmes, et alors?. 24 May 2011. Libération. France. 17 May 2011.
- Drennen, Kyle."NBC Sympathizes With Disgraced IMF Chief, Promotes Conspiracy Theory He Was 'Set Up'", The Wall Street Journal, 18 May 2011.
- Web site: AER Standing Committee on Equal Opportunities. Assembly of European Regions. 25 June 2011.
- News: Dominique Strauss-Kahn: Was it a stitch-up?. https://web.archive.org/web/20110519070838/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8516275/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-Was-it-a-stitch-up.html. dead. 19 May 2011. The Daily Telegraph. UK. 16 May 2011. Our. Foreign.
- http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5c6cc5d0-814c-11e0-9360-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1Mj6QoTzK "French suspect smear campaign lies behind NY arrest"
- Web site: Les premières conséquences politiques de l'affaire DSK. pfd. 3. Sondage exclusif CSA. 20 May 2011.
- http://www.economist.com/node/18712833 "The downfall of DSK"
- News: Dominique Strauss-Kahn: minister doesn't rule out 'set up'. The Daily Telegraph. UK. 15 May 2011. 7 July 2011.
- Osborn, Andrew "Vladimir Putin hints at Dominique Strauss-Kahn conspiracy", The Telegraph (UK), 29 May 2011.
- News: Harris. Paul. New questions raised over Dominique-Strauss Kahn case. 9 August 2013. The Guardian. 26 November 2011. 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..
- [Edward Jay Epstein|Epstein, Edward Jay]
- News: Dominique Strauss-Kahn conspiracy theory denied by New York Sofitel. 9 August 2013. The Daily Telegraph. 27 November 2011. Peter. Allen. Jon. Swaine. ... 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"..
- News: Davidson. Amy. Strauss-Kahn and the Dancing Men. 9 August 2013. The New Yorker. 28 November 2011.
- http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/jan/12/note-strauss-kahn-case/ A Note on the Strauss-Kahn Case
- News: Epstein. Edward Jay. Strauss-Kahn affair: 'Perhaps I was naive. I didn't believe they'd go that far'. 9 August 2013. The Guardian. 27 April 2012. 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..
- News: A Wrench in the Dominique Strauss-Kahn Conspiracy Theory. 9 August 2013. The Daily Beast. 29 April 2012. Christopher Dickey.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/21/world/europe/21sinclair.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1 "Backing Her Man With Impressive Resources"
- https://web.archive.org/web/20110526091751/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jR6ut0XHlTU4ao0y7u-4MeFLHgYw?docId=8e444ac892e649e2b4505e9d2e0a4a37 "Ex-IMF chief's sturdy marriage enduring new strain"
- News: Bremner. Charles. Nicolas Sarkozy dismay as Dominique Strauss-Kahn in sex scandal. 12 June 2011. The Times. 20 October 2008. London, UK.
- News: Love. Brian. The two faces of Dominique Strauss-Kahn. 14 June 2011. Reuters. 20 May 2011.
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/03/anne-sinclair-dominique-strauss-kahn?INTCMP=SRCH "Why Anne Sinclair is standing by Dominique Strauss-Kahn"
- https://web.archive.org/web/20110520151232/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/dominique-strauss-kahn/8518906/Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-second-wife-says-New-York-sex-attack-unthinkable.html "Dominique Strauss-Kahn: second wife says New York sex attack 'unthinkable'"
- News: Lazard. Violette. La deuxième épouse de DSK : "C'est impensable et impossible". 13 February 2016. Le Parisien. 17 May 2011. fr.
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-strausskahn-defence-idUSTRE74J4S520110520 "Woman linked to Strauss-Kahn says he wasn't violent"
- https://www.cnbc.com/id/43650051 "DSK 'Seducer' Not Rapist: Biographer"
- News: Doucet. David. L'affaire DSK, un "troussage de domestique"? Kahn s'excuse. 21 May 2011. L'Express. 19 May 2011.
- News: Lichfield. John. Feminists' anger at chauvinism of Strauss-Kahn affair. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/feminists-anger-at-chauvinism-of-strausskahn-affair-2287820.html . June 18, 2022 . subscription . live. 27 May 2011. The Independent. 23 May 2011. London.
- News: Moutet, Anne-Elisabeth. Dominique Strauss-Kahn: A Frenchman sunk by a sex scandal?. The Daily Telegraph. 16 May 2011. 7 July 2011. London, UK.
- News: Parussini. Gabriele. FN's Le Pen: 'Harasser' Strauss-Kahn's Fall Expected. 24 May 2011. The Wall Street Journal. 19 May 2011.
- http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2011/05/16/01002-20110516ARTFIG00604-pour-bernard-debre-dsk-est-un-delinquant-sexuel.php "Pour Bernard Debré, DSK est un 'délinquant sexuel'"
- Web site: French reaction to Strauss-Kahn arrest. BuenosAiresHerald.com. 7 July 2011.
- News: In Europe, Strauss-Kahn Views Vary. The Wall Street Journal. 19 May 2011. 7 July 2011.
- News: Théry. Irène. La femme de chambre et le financier, par Irène Théry. 4 June 2011. Le Monde. 23 May 2011. fr.
- News: Théry. Irène. Un féminisme à la française. 4 June 2011. Le Monde. 29 May 2011. fr.
- News: Pollitt. Katha. Dear France, We're So Over. 1 June 2011. The Nation. 25 May 2011.
- News: Lichfiled. John. John Lichfield: The French more relaxed about sex? It's a myth. 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 . June 18, 2022 . subscription . live. 4 June 2011. The Independent. London.
- News: Ex-IMF chief Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty. The BBC. 10 June 2011.
- Web site: Room Attendants rally to support Sofitel worker. New York Hotel Workers' Union. 11 June 2011.
- News: The Strauss-Kahn media circus begins. CBS News. Michelle. Miller. 16 May 2011. 26 May 2011.
- Web site: L'affaire DSK: le summum du bruit médiatique. 4 June 2011. 26 May 2011. Radio France Internationale. fr.
- News: Marlowe. Lara. Media the front line as sides in Strauss-Kahn case set for a dirty war. 4 June 2011. The Irish Times.
- News: Desnos. Marie. Nafissatou Diallo, celle qui a fait tomber DSK. 9 August 2013. Paris Match. 17 May 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20130613182715/http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Nafissatou-Diallo-l-accusatrice-de-Dominique-Strauss-Kahn-149784. 13 June 2013. live. fr. 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..
- News: Bernard. Philippe. La vie guinéenne de l'accusatrice de Dominique Strauss-Kahn. 27 May 2011. Le Monde. 24 May 2011.
- News: Lorriaux. Aude. Affaire DSK: attaquer l'image de la plaignante sera difficile. 16 June 2011. Le Figaro. fr.
- Web site: Interviewing Rape and Sexual Assault Victims. Hackney. Susan. Covering Crime and Justice. 2010. 26 May 2011.
- News: Dunand. Emmanuel. Elisabeth Guigou: faire "très attention en France à l'équilibre des informations". 14 June 2011. L'Express. 17 May 2011. AFP. fr.
- News: Davies. Lizzy. How Dominique Strauss-Kahn's arrest awoke a dormant anger in the heart of France's women. 21 May 2011. The Observer. London, UK.
- News: Schofield. Hugh. A national trauma: France, Strauss-Kahn and US justice. BBC News. 19 May 2011.
- News: Brogan. Benedict. Why the image of DSK in cuffs shocks France. https://web.archive.org/web/20110521000603/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/benedictbrogan/100088258/why-the-image-of-dsk-in-cuffs-shocks-france/. dead. 21 May 2011. 22 May 2011. The Daily Telegraph. 17 May 2011. London, UK.
- Web site: Levy. Bernard-Henri. Stop the Attack Dogs on Strauss-Kahn and Protect the Indicted. The Daily Beast. 25 May 2011.
- News: Cowell. Alan. News of Turnaround in Dominique Strauss-Kahn Case Stuns France. 1 July 2011. The New York Times.
- News: Strauss-Kahn could yet be French PM. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/strausskahn-could-yet-be-french-pm-2305982.html . June 18, 2022 . subscription . live. 3 July 2011. The Independent. John Lichfield in Paris and David Usborne in New York. London, UK.
- http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-strauss-kahn-france-reaction-20110702,0,7723886.story?track=rss "France abuzz with talk of comeback for Dominique Strauss-Kahn"
- News: Affaire DSK : Michèle Sabban demande la suspension de la primaire PS. 1 July 2011. Le Point. fr.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-17311867 "Protest greets Dominique Strauss-Kahn talk in Cambridge"
- Web site: Press Release: IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn Resigns. Imf.org. 18 May 2011. 7 July 2011.
- News: Lagarde and Carstens Are the 2 Contenders for Top I.M.F. Post. The New York Times. Jack. Ewing. 14 June 2011.
- News: Christine Lagarde: the IMF statement in full. https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183933/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/dominique-strauss-kahn/8604209/Christine-Lagarde-the-IMF-statement-in-full.html. dead. 28 June 2011. The Daily Telegraph. UK. 28 June 2011. 7 July 2011.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/imf-board-fight-could-undermine-agencys-effectiveness/2011/05/18/AFEm3i6G_story.html "Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigns as head of IMF"
- https://web.archive.org/web/20110524150515/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/dominique-strauss-kahn/8527773/Joseph-Stiglitz-the-IMF-cannot-afford-to-make-a-mistake-with-Strauss-Kahns-successor.html "Joseph Stiglitz: the IMF cannot afford to make a mistake with Strauss-Kahn's successor"
- http://www.economist.com/node/18712515 "Damned"
- Web site: Strauss-Kahn arrest shakes French politics . MarketWatch. 16 May 2011. 7 July 2011.
- Web site: Strauss-Kahn affair throws Socialists into disarray – FRANCE. FRANCE 24. 7 July 2011.
- News: France's Sarkozy may not make 2012 runoff. Uk.reuters.com. 7 July 2011. 9 May 2011.
- Web site: Lisa Bryant . IMF Chief Scandal Throws French Elections A Curveball. Voanews.com. 20 May 2011. 7 July 2011.
- News: Samuel. Henry. Martine Aubry to launch campaign to be French Socialist Party presidential candidate. The Daily Telegraph. UK. 28 June 2011. 7 July 2011.
- http://www.france24.com/en/20111016-socialist-primary-winner-francois-hollande-face-sarkozy-2012-presidential-election?autoplay=1 Socialists choose Hollande to face Sarkozy in 2012
- News: Lichfield. John. Dominique Strauss-Kahn to sue makers of Gerard Depardieu sex addiction film Welcome to New York. The Independent. 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. 21 May 2014. live.