Prosecutors want to drop rape case against ex-IMF chief

New York – The rape case against former IMF President Dominique Strauss-Kahn appears to be on shaky ground following reports aired in “The New York Times” that his accuser is possibly lying.

According to reports in the newspaper and later picked up by major broadcasters, prosecutors contacted the newspaper and said that police have tape recorded the chambermaid who accused Mr. Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault in phone conversations with a man who is at present incarcerated in one of the city's lockups.

She allegedly told him that the case was proceeding according to their plans. She, herself, has been accused of money laundering and allegations of drug dealing. Prosecutors also uncovered evidence of a previous case in which she allegedly made similar false allegations in her native Guinea before coming to America under a grant of political asylum

Evidence against Mr. Kahn at the time of his arrest in May included her statements that he attacked her by surprise, and that they found his semen on her clothing.

Legal analysts for the “Times” and major networks said there is nothing unusual for defense attorneys to put the accusers in sexual assault cases on trial over attacks on their credibility. However, for the prosecution to raise such questions regarding the credibility of the complainant usually spells a death knell for further investigation and to decline further prosecution.

According to published reports, in a hearing today his attorneys will seek a bail reduction from the $6 million surety he placed for his release from jail. They are seeking bail arranged on the basis of personal recognizance.

Mr. Strauss-Kahn, who is a member of the Socialist Party, was the leading contender for President of France, but resigned as IMF chief and from his party membership after police arrested him on the jet where it stood on the runway at Kennedy International Airport as he returned to Paris. He was due in Brussels the next day for a conference of the European Union finance ministers to plan a proposed bailout of Greek and Portuguese central banks. They then arrested and charged him for raping the chambermaid at a $3,000 a night luxury suite at a Times Square hotel.