Dominique Strauss-Kahn Maid Continues to Lose Credibility; Strauss-Kahn to be President?

Sexual assault charges against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn will probably be dropped in days as his accuser continues to lose credibility. Strauss-Kahn resigned as managing director of the International Monetary Fund May after a hotel maid accused him of sexual assaulting her. Strauss-Kahn was released from a New York City jail on $1 million cash plus a $5 million bond.

French novelist Tristane Banon, 32, announced yesterday that she will sue Strauss-Kahn for a 2002 attempted rape. Banon, who has consistently accused Strauss-Kahn of trying to rape her, told The Telegraph that the incident ended very, very violently.

Similarly, the 32-year-old Guinea hotel maid said that Strauss-Kahn emerged naked from the bathroom and forced himself on her and has consistently denied that she knew who he was prior to the accident. Evidence emerged that the woman had been working at the swanky Sofitel Hotel as a prostitute. The woman reportedly told her jailbird boyfriend, Don't worry, this guy has a lot of money. I know what I'm doing.

Paris commentator Karim Emile Bitar said that Banon's version of events might be close to the truth, but the alleged rape attempt took place eight years ago and Strauss-Kahn's battalions of lawyers and communication consultants have already started undermining her story and attacking her character. However, even if it does not end in a Strauss-Kahn conviction, Banon accusing him of acting like a 'rutting chimpanzee' will keep his antics on the front pages for a while, and this will complicate a smooth political comeback.

The Strauss-Kahn defense said that it will sue Banon for defamation. They added that her accusations are imaginary. The objectively burdensome accusation arrived amidst talks of Strauss-Kahn's rehabilitation and likely run for presidency.

According to recent polls, half of France's general population is rooting for Strauss-Kahn's arrival to French politics.