Court date in NY hotel maid’s suit vs Strauss-Kahn

NEW YORK (AP) — The outcome of a New York City hotel housekeeper’s sexual assault lawsuit against former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn may soon be settled in court.

The maid is expected to be there when lawyers for both meet in a Bronx courtroom at 2 p.m. Monday to update a judge on the status of settlement discussions. Strauss-Kahn isn’t expected to attend.

Strauss-Kahn’s lawyers have said there have been settlement talks. The maid’s lawyers have declined to comment.

Legal observers say many factors go into decisions to settle lawsuits, from financial interests to desires to move on. Nationwide, only a tiny fraction of civil cases go to trial.

The maid says Strauss-Kahn sexually attacked her in his suite in May 2011. He says their encounter was consensual.