Yes, they can and are, but it does not make a false allegation any more legitimate. Too much is now coming out about this woman and if you were DSK, wouldn’t you use all your resources to defend yourself? Remember the Duke University students? Rich whites are a favorite target.
I think the trial should proceed anyway. If her background is relevant, so is his - he has a pattern of doing exactly the kinds of things she accused him of, relying on his position to get away with it. All that came out with this.
Her co-workers who found her directly after the incident would have something to say. So would those in the NYPD who routinely deal with these kind of crimes and were convinced credible charges should be filed against him.
In answer to your questions: yes; and of course lawyers do what they’re paid to do, and the more you pay them, the more they do.
“Too much is now coming out about this woman and if you were DSK, wouldn’t you use all your resources to defend yourself?” That’s what struck me as well. All of a sudden, the demons from hell were unleashed (motivated by $$ no doubt).Perhaps the truth is somewhere in the middle, but there is a stench here.