New York, Aug 24 : Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who was accused of sexually assaulting a New York hotel maid, paid tribute to his loyal wife, Anne-Sinclair, as he was cleared of charges.

The French politician described facing the rape accusations as a ‘nightmare ordeal’, and said he was ‘deeply grateful’ to his determined wife who stood by him despite revelations of infidelity and accusations of sexual assault.

“I am most deeply grateful to my wife and family who have gone through this ordeal with me,” the Daily Mail quoted, Strauss Kahn, as saying.

“We look forward to returning to our home and resuming something of a more normal life,” he added.

Strauss Kahn was recently released from custody after prosecutors filed court papers saying the case had to be dismissed because they could not ask a jury to believe the hotel maid’s story when they do not find her to be a credible witness.

Speaking after the court appearance, he said that these past two and a half months have been a ‘nightmare’ for him and his family.

“I want to thank all the friends in France and in the United States who have believed in my innocence, and to the thousands of people who sent us their support personally and in writing,” he added.

The 33-year-old West African maid claimed Strauss-Kahn, 62, sexually assaulted her in his luxury suite at the Sofitel hotel in Manhattan on May 14. (ANI)