DA Looks Into Possible Settlement Talks Between Strauss-Kahn, Maid Nafissatou Diallo

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sources say prosecutors are looking into whether the lawyer for the hotel maid who accused Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault discussed reaching a possible financial settlement with him in exchange for having her back away from the criminal case.

Sources who were familiar with the matter spoke with The Associated Press on Friday.

They said prosecutors were looking into whether the maid's lawyers and Strauss-Kahn's attorneys talked about a potential deal after prosecutors began developing doubts about her credibility.

The former International Monetary Fund leader faces attempted rape and other charges after being accused of attacking 32-year-old Nafissatou Diallo who came to clean his suite May 14. He denies the charges.

Diallo said Strauss-Kahn suddenly appeared naked, grabbed her breasts, slammed the door and then wrestled her to the bedroom.

Diallo said he then moved her to the bathroom where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.

Diallo has already filed a civil suit against the former IMF chief, claiming sexual assault, battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The lawsuit claims Diallo "did not know that defendant Strauss-Kahn was the head of the IMF…" at the time of the incident in May.

It also corrects media reports that she continued working after the alleged attack, saying "contrary to some reports, at no point and time did Ms. Diallo go back and clean."

Her lawyer Kenneth Thompson, says this recent allegation about a possible settlement is "absolutely false'' and "a baseless attack.''

The District Attorney's office and Strauss-Kahn lawyer Benjamin Brafman declined to comment.

Strauss-Kahn's next court date is Aug. 23. He faces attempted rape and other charges. He has denied the accusations.

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