The May 2011 liaison between Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Nafissatou Diallo, then a maid at New York's Sofitel, led to the Frenchman's resignation as head of the International Monetary Fund and effectively ended his political career, which had included presidential aspirations.

But Diallo's fortunes, too, seem to have turned since she accused Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault, Agence France-Presse reported. Although prosecutors dropped their charges because they said the woman's credibility had suffered due to false statements, the Journal de Dimanche said Diallo collected $1.4 million in the out-of-court settlement of a resulting civil case.

The Guinean immigrant apparently used those funds to start her own New York restaurant -- "Chez Amina" -- which serves African, American and Spanish food in the Bronx. The establishment is furnished with red faux leather banquettes and flat-screen TVs on the wall, the French news service noted.

Douglas Wigdor, Diallo's one-time lawyer, told French radio RTL this week that while her former client is doing well, she would have preferred for the encounter with Strauss-Kahn to never have happened. She had originally accused the IMF chief of jumping on her naked and forcing her to perform oral sex.

The incident resulted in an international media frenzy, and customers at "Chez Amina" seemed to be aware of its owner's notoriety.

"It's that woman," a middle-aged, French-speaking African client, who would not give his name, told AFP. "A friend recommended the restaurant to me; it seems very good."

Strauss-Kahn, meanwhile, may worry that he might soon dine on prison fare: If convicted in a French trial for sex charges, the former presidential contender would face up to 10 years behind bars.

In the proceedings, which began earlier this week, prosecutors accuse Strauss-Kahn of aggravated pimping and involvement in a prostitution ring operating out of luxury hotels, according to the New York Post. They have presented hundreds of pages of testimony from prostitutes who claim the 65-year-old helped organize orgies at a Lille hotel.

Strauss-Kahn has admitted taking part in "libertine" activities but denies having known about the transactions. Paying for sex in itself is not illegal in France, though running a prostitution business is, the newspaper explained.