Dropping the rape charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn was the right thing for New York's district attorney to do, in light of repeated lies told by the alleged victim. But this does not absolve the former head of the International Monetary Fund of his disgraceful conduct.
This case is not about unfairness to a rape victim. In bygone years – not too long gone by – a rape conviction required corroborating evidence, and a victim's sexual history could be publicly exposed and probed. But none of that was at issue here. This case was about the prosecution losing confidence – for good reason – in the story told by the victim. In such circumstances, it would have been wrong to take the case to the jury and let it decide. "If we do not believe her beyond a reasonable doubt, we cannot ask a jury to do so," New York State prosecutors told a court in successfully seeking dismissal of the charges. There may be no way to measure this, but prosecutors who adhere to that principle probably save countless wrongful convictions.
The state could not have maintained its prosecution in good conscience. The alleged victim kept changing her story about what happened after the alleged rape. She admitted lying to a grand jury on some details. She had lied before under oath, on other matters. She did not tell prosecutors about deposits of $60,000 into her bank account. She cried and grew agitated even while telling lies.
Mr. Strauss-Kahn brought shame on himself and his office. The evidence, including DNA tests that found several stains left by Mr. Strauss-Kahn's semen, showed conclusively that a sexual encounter occurred, according to the prosecution. While leaders are entitled to private lives, the public has a right to expect that their leaders will conduct themselves with the dignity befitting their office, and not only to protect against blackmail and scandal (though that, too); leaders should not stoop to behaviour that would embarrass the people they lead. Dignity is a basic requirement of holding high leadership positions. Without it, the office itself may lose respect, even become a laughingstock. Mr. Strauss-Kahn should give up his aspirations to be president of France. He is not fit to lead.