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NEW YORK (AFP)-the case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn was thrown into further confusion as an all-out war broke out between the Office of District Attorney and former IMF Chief accuser.
Lawyers for the waitress who says that Strauss-Kahn tried to rape her in a Manhattan hotel room asked a new Prosecutor Wednesday, accusing the District Attorney's Office in New York losses harmful and a potential conflict of interest.
A spokesman for District Attorney Cyrus Vance shot back in a statement e-mailed to AFP, calling the request for recusal "wholly without merit."
The war between the alleged victim and those allegedly pursuing the case against Strauss-Kahn came days after the prosecution admitted in a dramatic hearing that he had serious doubts about his credibility.
They said they had given false information about forms of tax and asylum application, including about an alleged gang rape in Guinea. Perhaps even more damaging, she had lied in sworn testimony on Strauss-Kahn.
The maid told the grand jury, which decided in May that the case could proceed, who had left the room to Strauss-Kahn after the alleged sexual violence 14 May and waited in a corridor until he was gone.
Prosecutors revealed Friday that she later recanted this version of events, saying she has continued to clean another room and returned to Strauss-Kahn for cleaning before telling a supervisor of the alleged incident.
In the latest twist to the case, lawyer of breathless waitress Kenneth Thompson sent a letter Wednesday to Vance request for recusal himself from the case immediately and allow the appointment of a special prosecutor.
Most of the four pages of detailed alleged leaks from the Thompson Office of Vance, in particular with regard to a New York Times story about a conversation he had with the waitress a criminal in jail is secretly recorded.
He wrote that Chief Assistant District Attorney Daniel Alonso called him on June 30 and said that during the conversation the waitress had said "words to the effect that" this guy has a lot of money. I know what I'm doing. "
The New York Times reported the details of the telephone conversation of waitress next day using almost exactly the same words he used Alonso said.
Among the "other losses" orchestrated and truthful, Thompson said that he was truly saddened that the senior prosecutor refused to deny a tabloid New York Post story accusing the waitress of being a prostitute.
"The fact that apparently an attorney in your Office suggested that it may be true that the victim is a prostitute and engaged in acts of prostitution, while under the protection of your Office is frightening."
Thompson also mentioned a "potential conflict of interest" because the head of the Trial Division of the Prosecutor is married to one of the Strauss-Kahn attorneys involved in the case.
"We should have been told on this matter by the members of your Office and not by members of the press," he wrote.
Thompson also complained that one of the prosecutors had "shouted at and despised the victim" and yet still was assigned to the case.
Thompson had already said after hearing of Friday that he felt that the accusation was laying the groundwork to close the case and accused Vance of not having the courage to go with it.
Lawyers for the defense and prosecutors held a meeting Wednesday at the offices of Vance, but gave no clue on whether the case was led to dismissal, a deal possible reason or process.
"We had a constructive meeting. That is all that I am about to say, "said Strauss-Kahn's lawyer Benjamin Brafman.
A spokesman from the Office of Vance told AFP: "the investigation is continuing."
Strauss-Kahn has enjoyed greater freedom since released from house arrest on Friday-outside his ankle monitor bracelet and without the 24/7 armed guards that were conditions of his bail agreement.
In a huge turnaround for someone who weeks ago was on suicide watch in the infamous prison at Rikers Island in New York City, dined on truffle with his wife Anne Sinclair that night an exclusive Manhattan restaurant.
Back in France, prosecutors say they have received a complaint from a writer alleging that former IMF boss and political leader has tried to rape her in 2003.
If the Socialist 62 years returns in France that he could face a second case of complaint should prosecutors charge that he Tristane Banon grappled with her and tried to strip her in an apartment in Paris during an interview.
Lawyers for Strauss-Kahn have rejected the allegation and threatened to sue Banon 32 years.
Some allies of the Strauss-Kahn in the French opposition Socialist Party have suggested that he could return to combat Nicolas Sarkozy in next year's presidential election.
Before the scandal in New York has polled as the person most likely to beat Sarkozy. He is due back in court in New York for another hearing on July 18.
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