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Dominique Strauss-Kahn's Lawyers Complain About NYPD Leaks

By DNAinfo Staff on May 26, 2011 3:56pm  | Updated on May 26, 2011 4:53pm

By Dave Goldiner

DNAinfo News Editor

MANHATTAN — Lawyers for Dominique Strauss-Kahn wrote to prosecutors Thursday to demand they stop the torrent of leaks to the media in his explosive sex assault case.

The former International Monetary Fund head's lawyers say the NYPD acted unprofessionally by releasing information about the alleged May 14 sex attack by Strauss-Kahn on a maid at the swank Sofitel Hotel in Midtown.

"Our client's right to a fair trial is being compromised," wrote lawyers Ben Brafman and William Taylor.

The lawyers also suggested that they have dirt on the accuser in the case.

"We could release substantive information. . . that would gravely undermine the credibility of the complainant in this case," they wrote.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn was awaiting arraignment on sex charges Monday.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn was awaiting arraignment on sex charges Monday.
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David Torres/DNAinfo

Prosecutors fired back by disowning any knowledge of the leaks and insisting that they shared the defense's concern about unauthorized disclosure of information about either Strauss-Kahn or the alleged maid.

"It is in the interest of both the defendant and the victim to discourage whenever possible leaks of otherwise undisclosed information," wrote Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon.

The prosecutor also said they know of nothing that could undermine the maid's credibility.

Defense lawyers say they may demand a separate hearing on the leaks, which they say include detailed descriptions of the victim's account of the alleged crime.

Strauss-Kahn, who faces up to 25 years behind bars, is due back in court June 6.