The New York Post referred to the hotel maid who accused Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault a "hooker." (Credit: NYPost, screenshot)
The hotel maid who accused Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault has filed a libel lawsuit against the New York Post and five of its reporters over its claims that she is a prostitute, Reuters reported.
The woman, who isn’t being named by the U.S. press to protect her privacy as an alleged victim, has claimed the Post’s early July stories defamed her “in an apparent desperate attempt to bolster its rapidly plunging sales,” according to Reuters.
For example, a July 2 story alleged the woman “continued to work as a prostitute in a Brooklyn hotel where she was stashed by prosecutors,” citing a “prosecution source.” According to that story, “sources close to the defense investigation” alleged she “has a regular fleet of gentlemen callers who range from wealthy clients she met at the Sofitel to counterfeit-merchandise hawkers and livery-cab drivers.”
Yet another anonymous source — described as “a senior prosecutor” — is quoted as saying “I can’t say with 100 percent certainty that it’s not true.”
This July 3 story alleged she is a “hooker maid” with “dollar signs in her eyes.” The story was attributed to an anonymous source “close to the defense investigation.”
The Associated Press noted that the New York Post hasn’t named the woman, but her attorney alleges the woman is identified as “there is only one hotel maid accusing Strauss-Kahn of attempted rape.” And, as StinkyJournalism has previously reported, the international press has named the woman.
The lawsuit alleges that the Post “knew” its claims “were false or should have known were false before they were published.” According to the lawsuit,
“All of these statements are false, have subjected the plaintiff to humiliation, scorn and ridicule throughout the world by falsely portraying her as a prostitute or as a woman who trades her body for money and they constitute defamation and libel per se.”
The woman’s attorney, Kenneth Thompson, reportedly told the AP that “We filed the suit because rape victims should not be called prostitutes.”
iMediaEthics has written to the New York Post for comment and will update with any response.
Hat Tip: Gawker
