Maid Sues 'Sadistic' Strauss-Kahn

A hotel maid who accuses ex-IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault sued him today over what she calls a "violent and sadistic" attack that left her life "in shambles." Lawyers for Guinean immigrant Nafissatou Diallo wrote that Strauss-Kahn "intentionally, brutally, and violently sexually assaulted Ms. Diallo and in the process humiliated, degraded, violated and robbed Ms. Diallo of her dignity as a woman."

Lawyers Kenneth Thompson and Douglas Wigdor said the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, was brought "to redress the violent and sadistic attack by defendant Strauss-Kahn on Nafissatou Diallo when he sexually assaulted" her on May 14. It says Strauss-Kahn injured Diallo's shoulder, bruised her vagina, tore her pantyhose, and violently grabbed the back of her head during the attack. Lawyers for Strauss-Kahn said Diallo's lawsuit has no merit and they will fight it vigorously. "We have maintained from the beginning that the motivation of Mr. Thompson and his client was to make money," attorneys William W. Taylor and Benjamin Brafman said. "The filing of this lawsuit ends any doubt on that question." (More Dominique Strauss Kahn stories.)