DSK Defense Looks Like the New York Post 'Hooker' Story

Newsweek reports Strauss-Kahn's lawyers will argue Diallo sought cash for sex

As the day approaches when the Manhattan District Attorney's Office is expected to announce whether it will pursue criminal charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former International Monetary Fund directors are compiling evidence to use in his defense. A NewsBeast story from Sunday night has some clues into what that defense might look like, starting with a version of accuser Nafissatou Diallo's possible motive for bringing the charges that comes close to the New York Post "hooker" story over which she has already sued for libel.

It has been expected that Strauss-Kahn’s team would attempt to portray the hotel incident as a consensual encounter. Now sources familiar with Strauss-Kahn’s case, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, say the defense could speculate that the encounter went bad when housekeeper Nafissatou Diallo discovered she would not receive any money after oral sex with the powerful Frenchman. Strauss-Kahn’s team may also try to portray Diallo, 32, as an “earner” who tried to pick up cash and gifts to supplement her $40,000 housekeeper’s salary, creating a financial motive to interpret some of the evidence in a new light.

Strauss-Kahn is due back in court on August 23, at which point the prosecution will likely announce whether it is pursuing or dropping the case. Diallo and her lawyers filed a civil lawsuit last week in Bronx district court, and many of the defensive techniques Strauss-Kahn's team is preparing for her criminal case are expected to be put to use there as well.