NEW YORK (Reuters) – Lawyers for former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn say they have information that could "gravely undermine the credibility" of the hotel maid who has accused him of trying to rape her.
In a letter to Manhattan prosecutors, Strauss-Kahn's lawyers William Taylor and Ben Brafman complained about New York police leaking information about the case to the media and expressed concern about his right to a fair trial.
"Indeed, were we intent on improperly feeding the media frenzy, we could now release substantial information that in our view would seriously undermine the quality of this prosecution and also gravely undermine the credibility of the complainant in this case," Taylor and Brafman wrote.
"We are requesting that you use whatever resources are appropriate to stop further leaking immediately," they said in the letter, dated May 25 and addressed to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.
Prosecutor John McConnell has said the evidence against the French national was "substantial and is continuing to grow every day."
He said the hotel maid who accused Strauss-Kahn of trying to rape her on May 14, a 32-year-old immigrant from Guinea, had told a "compelling and unwavering story."
Strauss-Kahn, who is under house arrest in a luxury New York townhouse, has denied charges of a criminal sexual act, attempted rape, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching.
If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
Strauss-Kahn, who resigned as managing director of the International Monetary Fund after his arrest, is due to appear in court again on June 6.
Strauss-Kahn's lawyers said in the letter they were concerned "our client's right to a fair trial is being compromised by the public disclosure of prejudicial material even before these materials have been disclosed to his counsel."
As an example the lawyers referred to media reports that tests had confirmed that Strauss-Kahn's DNA had been found on the hotel maid's clothing.
(Reporting by Basil Katz and Michelle Nichols, editing by Vicki Allen)
Corrects date to May 14 from Saturday in graf 6.
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