DSK's Alleged Victim Sues New York Post

What's the latest twist surrounding the Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case? The alleged DSK victim's lawsuit, filed against the New York Post for libel.

The Post had published some stories that the hotel maid is none too happy about.

On July 2, the Post published a story with the headline "Maid cleaning up as 'hooker'," reports CNN. The story goes on to cite anonymous sources that say that the maid was doubling as a prostitute and getting money from male guests.

It goes on. On July 3, the Post published another story where they wrote that the hotel maid had a "regular fleet of gentlemen callers," ranging from the wealthy to "livery-cab drivers," CNN reports.

DSK had been accused by the hotel maid of sexual assault. Prosecution had originally started off with strong claims that were weakened when the prosecution admitted that the maid's credibility may be at issue. DSK was later released from house arrest.

According to the maid's attorney, the Post knew or should have known that the statements made in the stories calling her a "hooker" and stating that she was a prostitute who traded sex for money were false statements, reports CNN.

In a defamation lawsuit, the statements made by a publication must be false. If the statements made are true, no matter how "defamatory" one might think the statements are, it is not defamation under the law.

Truth is considered an absolute defense in a defamation lawsuit. And, maybe that is how the Post plans on defending against the maid's libel suit. In response, a spokeswoman for the Post only said that the publication stands by its reporting, according to CNN.

Whether or not the alleged DSK victim's lawsuit will succeed is unsure. Though, a source has told CNN that there is no evidence that the maid was a prostitute. If that's the case, the hotel maid's lawsuit against the New York Post for libel may be very strong. And, there is probably little argument that two news stories calling a woman a "prostitute" or a "hooker" are causing her more than just a little injury.

Related Resources:

• Strauss-Kahn faces hurdle at home as U.S. woes ease (Reuters)
• Defamation Law: The Basics (FindLaw)
• DSK Released from House Arrest (FindLaw Blotter)
• DSK's Defense: Consensual Sex with Maid? (FindLaw Blotter)