Yesterday, the hotel maid who is accusing former IMF head Dominque Strauss-Kahn of attempted rape and forcing her to perform oral sex met with the Manhattan DA's office to discuss the case. While the Manhattan DA's office believes its case against Strauss-Kahn is on shaky ground enough to agree that he should be free on bail, a lawyer for Nafissatou Diallo the DA's office misinterpreted a recording that supposedly implied Diallo may have been trying to shake down the powerful Frenchman. And not only that, Diallo will also sue Strauss-Kahn. more ›

As ex-IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn awaits release on $1 million cash bail, the Daily Show and Jon Stewart looked at the leading French economist and politician's passionate supporters. Like Ben Stein, the lawyer, Nixon speechwriter, actor, joke-teller, who wondered earlier this week, "The prosecutors say that Mr. Strauss-Kahn 'forced' the complainant to have oral and other sex with him. How? Did he have a gun? Did he have a knife? He's a short fat old man," and "Can anyone tell me any economists who have been convicted of violent sex crimes?" Well, Stewart managed to find some examples, leading him to declare, "Economists are the rapiest profession going. It turns out the invisible hand of the market is very f***ing touchy feely... Yes, it's a redistribution of rape." more ›

While Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the French millionaire head of the IMF, has been put on suicide watch in a wing of Rikers Island, the ever classy New York Post took the story in about as ugly a direction as a story about a powerful man allegedly forcing himself on a hotel maid could go. "Dominique Strauss-Kahn may have more to worry about than a possible prison sentence," the tabloid's front page story screamed today. "The IMF chief's alleged sex-assault victim lives in a Bronx apartment rented exclusively for adults with HIV or AIDS." The paper's non-relevant charges were immediately derided as "outrageous" by the 32-year-old maid's lawyer on The Today Show this morning. more ›

Brett Favre may hold the record for most passing touchdowns in the NFL, but he also holds the record for most fumbles. And judging by new allegations today, he continually fumbled in his ill-conceived attempts at seducing former Jets in-house sideline reporter Jenn Sterger. Favre, who is already accused of sending inappropriate text and picture messages to Sterger, allegedly called her for "sex" a year after he left the Jets. "The same number that was used to send the messages in 2008 is the same one used to call Jenn in 2009, when Favre was in New York to film [the HBO show] 'Joe Buck Live,'" an anonymous source (let's call him Deep Throw) told the Post. more ›

Text messaging enthusiast Brett Favre turns 41 today, but it may be a bitersweet 10/10/10 for him: he has been accused of sexually harassing at least three women during the year he played for the Jets, the NFL is investigating the allegations, and his throwing arm has become a concern to the Vikings. All of the allegations have some sports writers wondering: how come this only happened in NY? more ›

The Republican Party is starting to get a bit nervous about wild card gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, especially after his call for reporters to start asking opponent Andrew Cuomo about his extramarital affairs. Now, they want him to apologize for the statement, even though he kinda sorta already took it back. Though one source told the Daily News a public apology would be a good way to show voters that Paladino is capable of maturity and rationality, another put it a bit more clearly: "It would be nice if he could just keep his shit together for a week." more ›

There have been plenty of allegations hurled, artwork shared, and even a couple of laughs had. But now, someone's feelings have gotten hurt in Crazyfest 2010. Andrew Cuomo responded to Paladino's well-publicized withdrawn accusations that he was unfaithful to his ex-wife, who he has three children with. "Did my kids have to read it? Yes. And was it hurtful to my kids who are in school? Of course, it was," he said. Because in addition to being our future, children are also our best attempt at humanizing ourselves. more ›

Yesterday was a "day of definition" for Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino by his own account. It was a day that he felt bolstered his persona as a politically incorrect Albany outsider who refuses to back down, despite whatever contradictions become apparent in his behavior. So, what better time for a fundraiser! more ›

So, about that whole, “Has anybody asked Andrew Cuomo about his paramours?" personal attack that was one of the triggers for Wednesday evenings epic Paladino/Dicker confrontation...remember how Paladino snapped at Dicker when he asked if he had proof of his allegations? He responded, "Of course, I do. You'll get it at the appropriate time." Well, we've all completely misunderstood his intentions! And his words! more ›

Yesterday, the Justice Department announced it arrested 10 people for "allegedly carrying out long-term, 'deep-cover' assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation." And in case you were wondering, "Federal law prohibits individuals from acting as agents of foreign governments within the United States without prior notification to the U.S. Attorney General." However, Russia's Foreign Ministry is blasting the arrests, saying, "We do not understand what prompted the U.S. Justice Department to make a public statement in the spirit of Cold War espionage. Such incidents have occurred in the past, when our relations were on the rise. In any case it is regrettable that all these things are happening on the background of the 'reset' in Russian-U.S. relations announced by the U.S. administration." more ›

White Plains Mayor Adam Bradley was in court today, to face a second round of charges accusing him of abusing his wife. Bradley's troubles have prompted rumors that he will resign, though a spokesman said, "He continues to do the work he was elected to do." more ›

Things aren't looking good for political reporter Dominic Carter at NY1. Carter was put on leave when domestic assault charges were revealed, but now the station appears to be closing the door more firmly. NY1 General Manager Steve Paulus tells the Daily News, "At this point, we have no plans to bring him back. He's got a lot of personal issues to work through." more ›

Now that State Senator Hiram Monserrate has opted for a bench trial, versus having a jury hear allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend last year, his fate is in the hands of Justice William M. Erlbaum. City Room reports that the National Organization for Women's New York chapter has been asking women to contact Erlbaum and ask him give the former turncoat Senator "to the maximum sentence allowable by law." Of course, Monserrate's lawyer is upset, claiming, "They’re trying to improperly persuade the fact finder. It’s akin to writing a letter to a juror." On the other hand, Office of Court Administration spokesman David Bookstaver points out it's not quite "akin" since Erlbaum is a public official. The judge also pointed out to Monserrate, at "in a bench trial, I wear two hats: I get to see all the evidence, even impermissible evidence," which includes the purported video of Monserrate roughly handling his girlfriend. One defense lawyer told the Post of the bench trial decision, "It's really gutsy -- but really risky. He's taking out one of the key components of a jury, and that's empathy. A judge cannot and will not be sympathetic to you, relying completely on the law." more ›

State Senator Hiram Monserrate accused NOW's NY State chapter of being "willfully malicious and mean-spirited," the Daily Politics reports. Monserrate was referring to a NOW-NYS press release, which is protesting Monserrate's position of power amid allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend; NOW-NYS had stated, "It is inexplicable that our former Governor Spitzer was forced to resign for having sex with a prostitute while Senator Monserrate is allowed to continue in a leadership position. " Monserrate complains, "To compare a situation where both adults insist an accident occurred, to Mr. Spitzer and a young lady who admitted to committing a crime, is to utter a statement maliciously," noting that NOW-NYS never contacted him or his girlfriend. The Daily Politics says (per a source) that Monserrate may consider a defamation suit against NOW-NYS, whose president Marcia Pappas says, "If Mr. Monserrate would go to this extreme to prevent my group from speaking out, what other extremes would Mr. Monserrate go to in other areas of his life?" more ›

A 12-year-old boy was allegedly hit by teacher, who wielded a chair, in the Bronx. WABC 7 reports that police arrested Kevin Martin, a teacher at Aspire Preparatory Middle School, for reckless endangerment. According to student Joseph Santiago, Martin "was about two feet away from me and he threw it. As he threw it, one of the legs hit me." Santiago was taken to the hospital and suffered bruises; his mother was outraged, "He ended up black and blue. Regardless of anything, I understand that you are angry, but throwing furniture around is not going to help." The teacher's union says that Martin didn't mean to hit Santiago; per WABC 7, "The teacher slammed the chair on the floor and it bounced, hitting the student." In the meantime, Martin is now assigned to administrative duties. more ›