NY police deny report on Strauss-Kahn DNA

New York police yesterday denied being the source of news reports that traces of semen from ex-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on a chambermaid’s clothes, saying investigators had so far given “no result and no information” about the DNA test results.

Various media reports on Monday, citing sources close to the investigation, had said that DNA from Mr Strauss-Kahn was found on the shirt of the 32-year-old woman, who has alleged that the former IMF chief tried to rape her in his hotel suite on May 14.

But a spokesman from the New York Police Department strongly denied that the results from the genetic testing had been released, and on Monday a spokeswoman from the prosecutor’s office on Monday said authorities would release “nothing until the trial” related to the DNA results.

Experts have said that the evidence could prove that there was a sexual encounter but not that there was violence of any kind.

Mr Strauss-Kahn has denied charges made against him and his attorneys have suggested in court proceedings that their might have been consensual sexual contact between him and the woman.

His lawyer Benjamin Brafman, who visited Mr Strauss-Kahn on Monday, said his client will plead not guilty and that he is confident his client will be exonerated. Prosecutors told Mr Strauss-Kahn’s bail hearing last week that they are building a “strong” case in support of the accusations.

The French politician, who is racing to find new accommodation, told his former staff he is confronting a “personal nightmare”.

Under house arrest pending trial, he has been rejected by one luxury residence because of his newfound notoriety and must soon leave his temporary apartment.