Dominique Strauss-Kahn Released Without Bail

By Jen Doll Fri., Jul. 1 2011 at 12:29 PM

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been released without bail after the Manhattan D.A.'s office uncovered what are being called serious credibility issues with his accuser, a maid at the Sofitel who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her in a room at the hotel six weeks ago. He denies the allegations, and investigators have reason to believe that his accuser lied about her background and also about some of her activities around the time of the attack, which apparently undermines the case to the extent that DSK has been freed from house arrest.

Via CBS News:

Prosecutors think the housekeeper lied about details on her application for asylum in the U.S., including saying she had been raped in her native Guinea, the official told the AP.
"She actually recounted the entire story to prosecutors and later said it was false," the official said.

What that has to do with allegations of rape, aside from undermining her credibility, remains to be seen. More germane: There were also lies as to the attack itself, the New York Times reports:

The housekeeper admitted that she lied about what happened after the episode on the 28th floor of the hotel. She had initially said that after being attacked, she had waited in a hallway until Mr. Strauss-Kahn left the room; she now admits that after the episode, she cleaned a nearby room, then returned to Mr. Strauss-Kahn's suite to clean there. Only after that did she report to her supervisor that she had been attacked.

Prosecutors have not, however, decided whether to downgrade the charges against Strauss-Kahn, nor have they come to a new conclusion about the allegations, necessarily. Traces of Strauss-Kahn's DNA had been found on the maid's shirt, indicating that there was definitely an encounter of some sort, and the woman still maintains that she was attacked.

DSK's passport remains surrendered and he can't leave the country. The Guardian has live coverage of his bail hearing.

Update: Cy Vance, Manhattan DA, says that the case is going forward and that charges against Strauss-Kahn have not been dismissed. Further, he said,

The court had given full support to the alleged victim, and done "everything in our power to maintain her privacy and keep her safe -- and we will continue to do so."

Here's Vance's letter regarding Strauss-Kahn.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn freed from house arrest [CBS News]

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Basil Smith

Though reluctant to say that he was likely set up by his opponents, I've been this was very suspicious since the story broke. From what I'm reading and hearing in news reports, seems he was set up by someone seeking attention and possibly an opportunity to litigate for monetary gain, rather than his political rivals - though they certainly benefited from his misfortune.

What is truly frustrating and an insulting is that false allegations of rape can tain the public's perception of women who have unfortunately and legitimately experienced rape. We have misogynistic creeps (mostly men) passing laws that make it so easy for a rapist (mostly men) to have very little punishment or to even strongly discourage women from coming forward.

Men who rape should be held accountable and punished severely in ways that inflict equal amount of humiliation and and pain, but what do we do about women who make false allegations and damage the system for other women who have genuine issues? Have they no concept of how hard it is for women already and the damage they do sets back the rights of the rape survivors?

Maybe I have no right even saying these things as a man, but as a progressive feminist supporting man, I am absolutely disgusted when self-serving people only perpetuate the bias against women and victims of rape.

Of course, we don't know the truth of this story and we may never, but it does seem as if she had been plotting to make these allegations days before the incident ever occurred. I'm trying to think of this from the point of view of my mother, my sister or even if I had a daughter. I can't imagine the pain a woman encounters dealing with the actual rape, only to be put on trial as the victim because women like this have made it so hard for other women. I would like to hear the voices of some women. Tell me that I'm wrong or even out of place because I can't relate.

ConcernedJane

Your response is thoughtful and well stated. You've asked for feedback from women, so here goes. You say you can't relate? Rape or women who make false accusations? My personal opinion, it's a very base individual who would accuse another falsely concerning rape. In this case we are hearing this long list of negatives which generally add up to the behavior of a consumate conwoman. But then there are also reports the prosecutors may be embarrassed over taking the word of this woman so quickly and slamming DSK to the mat. Some truth may be forthcoming. A full trial may be needed. But then that's very expensive. When it really boils down to it the powers that be may not want to pit the rich capable businessman against a known liar. Perhaps she was raped and is a liar too. We may never have the opportunity to know, if the case is dropped.

Currently we live in a world where men and women whom we put faith in, or at least would like to think aren't dirty dealers are doing belly flops right in our faces. It's really sending us all onto emotional roller coasters. Our elected officials are using public money to fund their personal scandels, tatooed women and madams, housekeepers and nannies are lurking around every weakminded or pompous persons they can ensnare and woman such as this, may be using the system too for their own gain while garnering sympathy from the big heart of the American systems. It's pretty difficult to swallow as a regular diet.

The question here is when are people going to wake up and discover it takes individuals on a personal basis, making right choices to create a society we can all be proud of and maintain healthy minds and attitudes. America has some serious soul searching to do.

Let's hope we didn't receive onto our soil, two individuals who were disasters looking for a place and way to happen as could be the case.