New York: A New York City hotel maid`s allegations that former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexually assaulted her are getting renewed scrutiny in her lawsuit over the encounter, a year after the criminal case began to crumble.

Legally, the ongoing lawsuit and the now-dismissed criminal charges are separate realms. But both sides have recently invoked the criminal case as they seek to strengthen their stances in the civil case. The housekeeper`s lawyers are trying to get a swath of information about prosecutors` investigation. They have long said prosecutors rashly cut a legitimate case loose.
Meanwhile, Strauss-Kahn`s attorneys are underscoring that prosecutors decided the woman couldn`t be trusted. The former International Monetary Fund leader is countersuing her for launching what he calls baseless charges. The criminal case was dropped in August.
PTI