9 Aug 2011

Civil case filed against Strauss-Kahn

11:04 am on 9 August 2011

The woman who accused former International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexually assaulting her, has filed a civil lawsuit against him in New York.

Nafissatou Diallo says he launched a violent and sadistic attack on her in his hotel suite on 14 May.

Mr Strauss-Kahn has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges and is on bail.

The criminal case against him has wavered for weeks since prosecutors revealed that Ms Diallo had lied about her past and her actions immediately after the incident.

Her lawyers have been saying for weeks she would bring a civil case.

Mr Strauss-Kahn, 65 and married, was previously seen as a leading candidate for the presidency of France next year. He is due back in court on 23 August.

Prosecutors have said DNA evidence ties Mr Strauss-Kahn to the attack in a room at the Sofitel Hotel in New York.