Strauss-Kahn in trouble again

26 March 2012 Last updated at 22:52 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page

1.2KShareFacebookTwitter.Dominique Strauss-Kahn on formal sex ring investigation Mr Strauss-Kahn's questioning in Lille on Monday came as a surprise Continue reading the main story
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Former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been placed under formal investigation in France over alleged involvement in a prostitution ring.

The move could lead to formal charges.

He has admitted attending parties where the authorities believe prostitutes were provided by a gang, but denies knowing that they were prostitutes.

Last May, he resigned from the IMF after being accused of attempting to rape a hotel maid in New York.

The charges were later dropped.

The maid, 32, is now bringing a civil case against Mr Strauss-Kahn, which is due to start in New York on Wednesday. He has always denied any wrongdoing.

'No inkling'
Lawyer Richard Malka said Mr Strauss-Kahn doesn't deny that he attended the parties
Mr Strauss-Kahn faces preliminary charges of procuring prostitutes and involvement in an "organised gang", one of his lawyers said.

The 62-year-old former IMF head, who could face up to 20 years in prison if tried and convicted, was released on 100,000 euros ($135,000) bail.

Prosecutors say Mr Strauss-Kahn cannot contact defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses or the media in relation to the case.

The BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris says the allegations relate to his supposed involvement in a vice ring that hired prostitutes for hotel orgies, mainly in Lille, but also in Paris and Washington.

The case has become known in France as the "Carlton affair", named after a hotel where several orgies are said to have been held.

The magistrates are examining allegations that business associates of Mr Strauss-Kahn were involved in the prostitution ring, and misusing corporate funds.

Eight people have already been placed under formal investigation, including a senior police officer.

Nafissatou Diallo is bringing a civil case in New York
One of Mr Strauss-Kahn's lawyers, Richard Malka, said: "He firmly declares that he is not guilty of these acts and never had the least inkling that the women he met could have been prostitutes."

Consorting with prostitutes is not against the law in France, and Mr Strauss-Kahn has acknowledged that he was at some of the parties with the women.

Last month he was held in police custody for 48 hours at the start of his formal questioning.

Our correspondent says Monday's hearing came as a surprise, and it is not yet clear why Mr Strauss-Kahn appeared before his scheduled appointment later in the week.

However, Mr Strauss-Kahn is also facing the court case in New York.

He will not appear in person there.

His lawyers, and those of the maid, Nafissatou Diallo, will debate whether Mr Strauss-Kahn's position in the IMF afforded him diplomatic immunity.

The criminal charges against Mr Strauss-Kahn were earlier dropped, when doubts emerged over the reliability of Ms Diallo's testimony.

Mr Strauss-Kahn had faced a third case - an accusation by 32-year-old author Tristane Banon of attempted rape.

Although magistrates concluded there was prima facie evidence of sexual assault, the statute of limitations precluded a prosecution and the case was dropped.

Mar 27, 10:00 AM EDT


Strauss-Kahn's French lawyers: Lust isn't a crime













PARIS (AP) -- Lawyers defending Dominique Strauss-Kahn against allegations he was involved in a French prostitution ring say he is being unfairly targeted for his active extramarital sex life and committed no crime.

They are also protesting a judge's order barring the former International Monetary Fund chief from talking to the media pending further investigation.

Strauss-Kahn, a former French presidential hopeful, was handed preliminary charges Monday alleging he was involved in a hotel prostitution ring in France.

Lawyer Henri Leclerc said Tuesday that Strauss-Kahn didn't know he was having sex with prostitutes, and that he's certain the case against Strauss-Kahn will crumble.

A New York court is holding a hearing Wednesday in a civil case in which a hotel maid accuses Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault.

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