Strauss-Kahn's Lawyers Say Evidence Undermines Accuser's Credibility

Dominique Strauss-Kahn with his attorneys in New York.Complaints Regarding Leaks in Case

Former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s attorneys have contacted the office of Manhattan district attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. with innuendos that they possess information that will undermine the credibility of the hotel housekeeper who is the plaintiff in against their client in the highly publicized case of alleged sexual assault.

William W Taylor III and Benjamin Brafman also asserted “our client’s right to a fair trial is being compromised by the public disclosure of prejudicial material even before these materials have been disclosed to his counsel.” They are referring to the leak of information about DNA results and other genetic and body-related evidence from the crime scene, including DNA confirmation of Strauss-Kahn’s semen found on the maid’s uniform.

Today’s NYTimes reports that the district attorney’s office responded with its own letter from Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, the chief of the hate crimes unit, “noting it was dismayed that Mr. Strauss-Kahn’s lawyers “chose to inject in the public record your claim that you possess information that might negatively impact the case and ‘gravely’ undermine” the woman’s credibility.’”

“If you really do possess the kind of information you suggest that you do, we trust you will forward it immediately to the district attorney’s office,” Ms. Illuzzi-Orbon wrote.

It’s believed that DSK’s lawyers are using the leaks as an opportunity to speed up the sharing of evidence in the case. Even before Strauss-Kahn was released from Rikers, it was clear that his attorneys were prepared to use a consensual sex defense.

Certain evidence reported this week — if true — make that argument more difficult to defend.

Sofitel Changes Working Attire Rules for Women

The WSJ writes that Sofitel has changed its work rules, in a decision that is based on comfort and has nothing to to with the DSK legal proceedings. Women can not wear pants to work.