Maid in Manhattan
The hotel worker who claims she was sexually assaulted by Dominique Strauss-Khan (62) - former head of the IMF - has spoken out and told her side of the story for the first time.
Nafissatou Diallo (32) waived her right to anonymity by giving interviews to Newsweek magazine and ABC news - and providing details of the alleged attack that took place in DSK's hotel bedroom.
The accuser is an immigrant worker from Guinea - a woman of course - earning $15 dollars an hour in her job as a hotel chambermaid.
The accused - DSK - is one of the most powerful men in the world - a global statesman and potential candidate in the French presidential elections - or at least he was until this affair.
Now the abuse of power involved should be clear for everyone to see - even if the sexual encounter involved was consensual - which is DSK's defence.
But instead of facing up to the reality of the old goat's behaviour - his wealthy wife stands by him - along with many of his 'comrades' in the French Socialist party.
Now I can't think of a good reason why a 32-year old woman in a respectable job - would proposition a 62-year old man - she had just met for the very first time.
The maid's story makes sense to me - and I'm sure to many other people as well.
But DSK will rely on the fact that there were no witnesses to these events (there seldom are) - and he has hired the best lawyers money can buy to present his defence.
Just like OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson.
So celebrity justice might prevail in the end - in which case the maid should sue him in civil court - where the standard of proof is on the balance of probabilities.
Either way DSK is finished as a public figure - which is what he deserves.
And those in the French establishment who have been turning a blind eye to his behaviour - including his wife - should be ashamed of themselves.
Nafissatou Diallo (32) waived her right to anonymity by giving interviews to Newsweek magazine and ABC news - and providing details of the alleged attack that took place in DSK's hotel bedroom.
The accuser is an immigrant worker from Guinea - a woman of course - earning $15 dollars an hour in her job as a hotel chambermaid.
The accused - DSK - is one of the most powerful men in the world - a global statesman and potential candidate in the French presidential elections - or at least he was until this affair.
Now the abuse of power involved should be clear for everyone to see - even if the sexual encounter involved was consensual - which is DSK's defence.
But instead of facing up to the reality of the old goat's behaviour - his wealthy wife stands by him - along with many of his 'comrades' in the French Socialist party.
Now I can't think of a good reason why a 32-year old woman in a respectable job - would proposition a 62-year old man - she had just met for the very first time.
The maid's story makes sense to me - and I'm sure to many other people as well.
But DSK will rely on the fact that there were no witnesses to these events (there seldom are) - and he has hired the best lawyers money can buy to present his defence.
Just like OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson.
So celebrity justice might prevail in the end - in which case the maid should sue him in civil court - where the standard of proof is on the balance of probabilities.
Either way DSK is finished as a public figure - which is what he deserves.
And those in the French establishment who have been turning a blind eye to his behaviour - including his wife - should be ashamed of themselves.
