Judge Rules Maid's DSK Lawsuit Can Proceed

A New York judge on Tuesday ruled that Dominique Strauss-Kahn cannot claim diplomatic immunity to avoid a civil lawsuit from the hotel maid who accused him of sexual assault and attempted rape.

The New York Post, which got an early break on the ruling, reports that the State Supreme Court Justice Douglas McKeon rejected the former International Monetary Fund chief's claim of diplomatic immunity, calling that legal defense a "Hail Mary pass."

In his written ruling, McKeon explained that a "well-stated law" makes it clear that DSK's "voluntary resignation from the IMF terminated any immunity," according to the report.

Criminal charges against Strauss-Kahn were dropped last year after prosecutors developed doubts about 33-year-old Nafissatou Diallo's trustworthiness and version of events. She has insisted she told police the truth in recounting the alleged attack in the upscale Manhattan hotel. DSK, meanwhile, has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing.

CBS News reminds us that the French politician never attempted to assert his diplomatic immunity from the criminal prosecution, and resigned his IMF job days after his arrest. The lawsuit was filed roughly three months later.