French writer files attempted rape charge against Strauss-Kahn

AP - A young author filed a sex assault complaint against former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Tuesday, opening a new and potentially ugly episode in the legal woes of a man once seen as a top contender for the presidency of France.

Banon's lawyer: 'These charges will be pursued'

The lawyer for Tristane Banon, 31, told The Associated Press that he had filed a formal complaint by mail asking prosecutors to open an investigation into her allegation that he tried to rape her in his apartment during a book interview in 2003.

Strauss-Kahn’s allies in the opposition Socialist Party say Banon is part of a conspiracy to undermine the 62-year-old former IMF chief. His personal and political future looked suddenly brighter last week after New York prosecutors said they had doubts about the credibility of a maid accusing him of attempted rape in her hotel room.

Banon came forward in the press after weeks of remaining mostly silent, saying in an interview published Tuesday that she was finally trying to clear her own name of suspicion that she had fabricated the accusation.

Tristane Banon told French news magazine L’Express that she was tired of hearing “lies and rumors” told about the incident.

“I can’t take it anymore hearing that I must be lying because I haven’t filed suit,” Banon said.

Strauss-Kahn has labeled Banon’s account “imaginary” and has threatened to file a criminal complaint of slander against her.

Strauss-Kahn is free on bail in New York, charged with attempted rape and other crimes. He resigned from his job as IMF chief to fight the charges.

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Banon said she had waited eight years before filing her complaint because “it’s very difficult for any woman in this situation ... and it’s even more difficult when you know in advance that it’s doomed to failure.”

Banon says she described some of the attack in an “autobiographical novel” she published in 2006 called “The Trapezist.”

“I left out some sordid details, about his fingers in my mouth, his hands in my underwear after he ripped off my jeans and my bra,” Banon said.

“He grabbed my hand, then my arm, I told him to let me go and that’s when the fight started. He pulled me towards him, we fell down and fought on the ground for a few minutes,” Banon said.

She said she started kicking him with her boots, then finally broke free, ran down the stairs and called her mother from her car.

“I couldn’t even drive I was trembling so much,” she said.