New York maid sues Strauss-Kahn

The New York City hotel maid who accuses ex-International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault has sued him.

Lawyers for Guinean immigrant Nafissatou Diallo filed the lawsuit Monday in state court in the Bronx. They seek unspecified damages.

The lawyers, Kenneth Thompson and Douglas Wigdor,say Diallo faces a difficult recovery from an encounter with Strauss-Kahn that left her violated, humiliated and degraded.

Diallo says Strauss-Kahn fled his luxury hotel room so quickly toothpaste was smeared on his face and he was looking over his shoulder.

Strauss-Kahn pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted rape and other crimes after his May 14 arrest.

The former French presidential candidate was freed from house arrest last month after prosecutors said they'd discovered facts casting doubt on his accuser's credibility. He's due back in criminal court Aug. 23.

Lawyers for Strauss-Kahn said the maid's lawsuit has no merit and their client will fight it vigorously.

"We have maintained from the beginning that the motivation of Mr. Thompson and his client was to make money," attorneys William W. Taylor and Benjamin Brafman said. "The filing of this lawsuit ends any doubt on that question."